1/29/21 - Mark 9:35 [NIV]

 1/29/21 - Mark 9:35 [NIV]

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

- I know Jesus is absolutely serious here, but I can’t help imagining a Monty Python scenario: people desperate for power scrambling among themselves trying to put themselves last… Our self-loving natures simply cannot grasp what Jesus is really saying to his disciples. This is why even though we know and assent to this verse, we still try to ‘advance’ ourselves, sometimes by any means necessary. We certainly express our disapproval of politicians, co-workers, and others who are too obvious about their ambitions. Seeing the humor here might help us laugh at ourselves and be more forgiving of ourselves and others.

- More seriously, we rob ourselves of joy when we fail to understand and be what Jesus is, and is trying to raise us to be. It is painful when we fail to advance, and a source of bitterness that defiles those around us by our complaining and pointing out the obvious flaws in others.

- This doesn’t mean we should avoid advancement and leadership. The world is desperate for humble leaders who do not seek their own advantages and ‘perks’. For leaders who can be joyful doing the meanest task or naturally and willingly share credit and praise. Leaders who are willing to sacrifice themselves for their mission are examples of Jesus Christ, and even in failure advance the Kingdom of God.

- Yes, God’s great Plan of Redemption raises flawed leaders to lead organizations and countries. If we can accept this and continue to pray for them, we will join ourselves to His purposes and find a peace and joy that passes all understanding, and please the One who walks beside us. And sometimes smiles.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Matthew 25: 14 - 30 - The Parable of the Bags of Gold [NIV]

  The Parable of the Bags of Gold 14  “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.   15  To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, [ a ]  each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.   16  The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.   17  So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.   18  But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19  “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.   20  The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21  “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been...
Read more

Matthew 25: 1-13 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins [NIV]

  The Parable of the Ten Virgins 25  “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.   2  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.   3  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.   4  The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.   5  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6  “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7  “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.   8  The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9  “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10  “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were rea...
Read more

2/4/2023 1 John 4:4-5 [NIV]

    “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them”     It comforts me to know there is One within me who is greater than the one who is in the world.  We are not alone: we are possessed.  Within every human is a spirit that dwells in both the spiritual and natural realms.  This consciousness marks us from the rest of creation.  We are not mere animals, not because we have travelled to the moon, but because we imagined we could.  Our understanding of physics and math enables us to take command of our environment and travel beyond our world, but it is incapable of grasping spiritual truth and understanding.  Those who limit their understanding based on ‘science’ or natural wisdom imagine those who believe in God and in angels and demons, heave...
Read more