Downward Mobility

The Academy Awards are this Sunday night.  I have no idea who will win, but I will make this prediction: Most of the people who do win will take most of their speech time to thank their fellow cast members, directors, writers, producers, makeup artists, and if they are wise, their spouses.  They will say something like, “This award really belongs to you.  I’m nothing without you.” They will mention their fellow nominees and say, “I am honored just to be mentioned in the company of such amazing artists.”  In fact, if someone flips the script and acts in a way that smacks of arrogance and self-promotion, I predict it will be headline news tomorrow.  Imagine someone says, “It’s about time you pathetic fools recognize my greatness.  I shall now pause to allow you to bask in my radiance.  You’re welcome.”  We’ll be talking about it for weeks to come, in very negative terms.  But the question is why?  Why do we insist that people who win—in entertainment, athletics, or any other field—behave in a humble and gracious manner?  That certainly hasn’t always been the case.  We’re in a series now called “The Man Who Changed Everything,” talking about the many ways Jesus changed our world.  One way He did this was by turning humility from an insult into a virtue.  He changed the way we view greatness.  This Sunday, our sermon will examine John 10:35-45, how Jesus' radical teaching on true greatness changed the world forever.