But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant. Matthew 20:25-26 ESV

“Number 23!” The lady behind the counter calls out. “How can I help you today?”

“I’d like 1/4 lb. of baloney, 1/4 lb. of provolone, 1/2 lb. of potato salad and 1/2 lb. of whatever ham is on sale.” I answer. After several minutes of wrestling heavy rolls of cheese and meat in and out of the display case she returns with neat little packages of my requested items, then asks with a smile, “Will there be anything else?” Moments like these have convinced me that it isn’t the managers who work the hardest in a grocery store, it is the deli people. I also think that these folks have a special place in the heart of God. Today’s passage shows us why. The disciples were getting stressed out that day over who was the most person in God’s kingdom. In case you think we don’t do that, check out the avalanche of books on leadership, high priced conferences on building a successful career and outright financial gimmickry marketed daily to us. Though we rightly long for significance, just as the apostles did, Jesus tells us all that getting a management position in God’s Kingdom isn’t what matters. What is important to God is training for a job in His deli department! Now of course we shouldn’t just slice up the Bible to tell people what they want to hear, but should ask them about their needs, cheerfully serve and then be willing to ask, “Will there be anything else?” In a paraphrase of Psalm 84:10 we should say along with one of the greatest leaders, whose name was King David: “I would rather work in God’s deli department than be a manger in the devil’s super center!”