by Dr. Gary Van De Walker

3.   The Most

Deut. 18:18

You can follow the lead of the most experience traveler who has ever lived

It's natural for us to wonder who is the best. Best baseball player. The best actor. The best book ever written. The best parent. Attempts like the Olympics, the Academy Awards, and the Super Bowl are meant to give us some idea of who is best.

                I remember elementary school being a lot like that.  During recess we would see who could run the fastest, throw the ball farthest, hit the hardest, if you could stem the most pain. We were always looking to see who was tallest, who is strongest, and who was smartest. With my brother and sister, we wouldn't ask who was the best but who got the most. The biggest piece of desert, who had the most toys, who had to stay at the longest before bedtime, and who could capture the most of mom and dad's attention. In my family, it was hard to get the most. My parents were exceedingly fair.

                As competition continues into her adulthood, we still look to see who gets the most. Most accolades, the most money at a job, the smartest and most talented kids, and who is held in esteem most in our peer group.

                The problem with being the most, as there is always someone trying to topple you. The athlete, the actor, the author, the valedictorian, the life of the party are constantly changing positions. A person with proper perspective realizes that they can never continue to be the most and in fact there is a joy and humbly accepting this.

It's hard to think of anyone in history with all position, gifts, and authority as Moses. He was the man with the most. Raised in the courts of Pharaoh's home, educated beyond most men of his age, elevated to the leader of God's people, and a person who enjoyed the daily physical presence of God. But even Moses knew he was not the most. Shortly before his death he wrote that a greater one would come. And this is the one shares with his disciples on the road to Emmaus.

1.       The Golden Gate

2.       The Most is worth listening to.

--Jesus is the most wise person to get advice from

                Matthew 12:42

--Jesus is the best communicator who ever lived 

                John 1:14

3.       The Most is worth imitating.

--Jesus is a role model you can follow

                1 Corinthians 11:1 

--Jesus’ methods work

                Matthew 7:24 

4.       The Most is worth the Word of God.

--Jesus is worth more than any other traveling companion

                John 1:1 

--Jesus can navigate the best route for your life

                                Matthew 11:30

5.       Tools for your journey:

-As you pray this week, practice listening and write down what you hear

-Choose one way you will imitate Jesus this week

-Set aside 15 minutes a day with the Word of God