Thursday, September 12, 2013
Matthew 20:25-28 "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
GREATNESS THROUGH SERVICE
The desire to be viewed as persons of importance, even envied for "who you are," is common in the world. Many strive to climb the ladder of financial success so they will be able to buy expensive things and have others look up to them for what they have accumulated. Their thoughts seem to run along these lines: "If I have the financial wherewithal that enables me to buy a fancy car, live in a nice home, and enjoy the finer things of life ... I've made it!" Consider how movie stars and professional athletes love to be idolized by their adoring fans.
The temptation is strong for Christians too. Our flesh would lead us to believe that our worth is measured by what we have in this world's goods and by how many people dote on us, and to think: "If this isn't happening, then I am a nobody."
It's true: children of God who quietly perform tasks of loving service for others (washing dishes for mom, cleaning the garage for dad, doing a favors for your sweetheart, putting in a hard day at work, serving your fellow Christians at church) won't be viewed as special by the world. How comforting, though, is Jesus' reminder that, unlike out in the world where greatness is measured by how many earthly treasures you accumulate and how many people you've got doing favors for you, in His kingdom greatness is measured by your willingness to devote yourself in loving service to others, just as He in love served you.
O God of mercy, God of might, In love and pity infinite,
Teach us, as ever, in Thy sight, To live our life to Thee.
Teach us the lesson Thou hast taught, To feel for those Thy blood hath bought
That every word and deed and thought May work a work for Thee.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 439:1, 3)
