The Greatest Man in the World

Perhaps best known as “the Father of Our Country,” George Washington has also been called by many other names. He has been called “the Sword of the Revolution,” and “the Sage of Mt. Vernon.” Historian James Flexner titled his biography of Washington, “The Indispensable Man.” General “Light-Horse Harry” Lee famously called him, “first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Cities, counties, streets, lakes, mountains, a state, and the nation’s capital are all named after George Washington. His likeness adorns the one-dollar bill and the quarter in American currency. And all of this for good reason.

George Washington commanded the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Humanly speaking, the odds against the American colonies defeating the mighty British Empire were beyond calculation. However, from the perspective of Providence, God had other plans – plans that included George Washington. Washington skillfully, courageously, and tenaciously led the American forces to an amazing victory. Following the war, Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention which drafted the United States Constitution. In the first presidential election George Washington was elected unanimously. No president since has received a universal mandate.

Any one of these accomplishments would have solidified George Washington’s place in American history. But it was another event that, more than any other, displayed Washington’s character and established his true greatness.

In the United States Capitol rotunda there is an eighteen-foot-wide painting by American artist John Trumbull entitled “General Washington Resigning his Commission.” Following the British surrender at Yorktown, Washington did something that was historically unprecedented. He turned over to the Congress command – the power – of the army. Throughout history conquering generals have maintained their power and used it to become dictators, kings. Not so Washington. He resigned his commission to return to his profession as a farmer on his plantation in Virginia. When England’s King George III heard of Washington’s intention, he reportedly said, “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.” It was not the attainment of power or the acclaim of victory that made Washington great. His greatness was best seen in his humbly divesting himself. John Trumbull considered the event depicted by his painting to be “one of the highest moral lessons ever given to the world.”

Yet in the Bible there is a far greater moral lesson. Philippians 2:7 says that Jesus Christ “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant…” Some translations read, “he emptied himself.” Jesus divested Himself of more than reputation or esteem. He emptied Himself of any advantage that He had being divine. He did not cease being God when He came into this world. But when He was incarnated – when He became a man – He did not avail Himself in any way for His own personal advantage of the prerogatives that were His, being God.

The Son of God made the world and yet humbled Himself to live in the world He made. (Jn. 1:10) He became a man, and experienced hunger, thirst, and weariness as men do. “Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor…” (II Cor. 8:9) Although worshipped by angels, He was despised and rejected of men. (Is. 53:3) When arrested, He could have called for legions of angels to deliver Him and bring fearful judgment on those abusing Him. (Mt. 26:53) Instead, He suffered and died for the sins of the world.

Jesus was greater than the great prophet Jonah, and greater than the wisest king, Solomon. (Mt. 12:41, 42) Jesus was greater than all the great men of history, including George Washington. Part of Jesus’ greatness was that no one ever humbled Himself as He did. Also, no one lived a sinless life like Christ. (I Pet. 2:22) “Never man spake like this man.” (Jn. 7:46) And no one could and did die for the sins of the world and rise again to provide eternal life to those who trust Him. (Acts 4:12) He was the greatest man in the world.

David A. Oliver is the pastor of Ashley Baptist Church in Belding, MI.