Thursday, December 5, 2013
Matthew 20:28 "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
THE ADVANTAGE OF ADVENT (4)
Whether it is a pastor, neighbor, or even a close friend or relative, it is tempting to think anytime someone calls or drops by that they are out to "get" something from us. It tends to spoil the call or the visit very quickly if that is our perception and attitude. However, there is a totally different perception that may very well be the reality. In the case of the pastor, I know from my own personal visits that I'm not stopping in to "get" you or something from you, but prayerfully to "give" you encouragement, support, and Godly advice. That same experience is often true with members who stop by whether at my office or even at home. That's the better perspective we all ought to have when individuals stop by, because maybe it is our God given opportunity to "give" or "receive" the Word of our gracious Lord.
What attitude do we find in our King and Lord Jesus Christ? He doesn't stop by like a greedy king to tax us or to make our day miserable. But through His Word Jesus teaches us the kind of mind He has for you! Philippians 2:5, 7 says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus ... who made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant." In Christ's Advent, in His coming, to be our King He didn't come into this world to be served by mankind, but in order to serve mankind with His life and death as a payment for all our sins (Mark 10:45).
Therefore, as Advent and Christmas are upon us we often hear the common phrase "Tis better to give than to receive." Let's pray that our Lord would help us to keep our Savior and His example in coming to visit and serve us with His very life and death in mind! In His humble service He gives us the proper perspective of "giving," especially when it comes to serving one another! "And therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10).
