Embracing Humility: Lessons from a Substitute Teacher’s ‘Favorite’ Ranking System

“Am I your favorite?”

“You know I am your favorite.”

“Hey, Bestie.”

These are common phrases when I walk into our local middle school. I spend a lot of time there as a substitute teacher and have gotten to know these students pretty well. And the truth is, I like them. They are very special to me.

They are a fun of group of kids, and I have enjoyed working with them. And in the midst of all that, whether joking or serious, the students fight over who is my “favorite” student.

Knowing this dynamic well, I implemented the same artificial ranking system for them that I do for the youth group at our church.

Over the past few years, I have had a running gag with my students at church where I rank my students like an ESPN Top 25 poll.

It all started because I also give out gold stars with the understanding those stars are like the points in Whose Line Is It Anyway? - made up and don’t matter.

The Youth Group Top 25 changes every few seconds because it isn’t real. I have told one student that he has transcended the list. When I told one boy he was #39, he responded with, “But we don’t have 39 kids in the youth group.” I said, “I know…”

I also have promised every 5th grader coming up next year that they will automatically go to number one.

This jockeying for position reminds me of the disciples in Luke 22:24-27, which is the second time Luke records the disciples arguing about who was the greatest.

Luke 22:24-27 says,

"A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”

This particular passage follows Jesus’ proclamation that one from among them would betray Him. They, like us, started jockeying for position declaring their allegiance and devotion to Jesus.

The reality is they all deserted Him.

Many of us have done the same thing. We argue about who is the best in and out of the church. We rank sin, saying, “At least I am not as bad as that person.”

Jesus tells us that the greatest among us is the one who serves others.

Let us focus on that message this week: serve others.

Let us be selfless instead of selfish. Think of others. Be aware of others. Help others. Love others. Love God. Repent of sin. Live in victorious new life.

That is what Jesus’ “favorite” looks like.

Anyway, I was just thinking…