August 8 - Serve

Matthew 23:1-12

The greatest among you shall be your servant. (Matthew 23:11 ESV)

Jesus was not a fan of the scribes, a sect of religious teachers that had become lost in corruption. They were overly harsh with the general population and used their position as a means to extort people for monetary gain. They were crooks and thieves mascara ding as clergy. They loved the honor of their position, but squandered their influence rather than leverage to help their people who were suffering under Roman rule.

Jesus teaching was very contrary to the scribes' example. He taught that position was not something to seek after or brandish as a badge, but rather it is the natural acquisition of someone in unselfish service to God. In God's kingdom you must serve to be great. The measure of human greatness is determined by the amount of love and service demonstrated in one's life. We like to be honored. Sometimes it can be completely natural to want recognition, but Jesus taught that true love, service, and greatness bypass those things.

It can be a simple thing. Serving doesn't have to be sacrificial or lengthy. Often the most monumental acts of service are done from a place of sacrifice, but we must not overlook the simplicity of demonstrating loving service daily. Opening the door for someone or helping them with a simple chore are two really easy ways to serve.

How will you serve someone today?

August 7 - Calls Him Lord

Mark 12:35-37

"David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly. (Mark 12:37 ESV)

Jesus was teaching about the Messiah to a group of Jews. While teaching he pointed out that David himself recorded a prayer to the Messiah, calling him Lord. This was all done as part of a teaching about the diving lineage and human royal heritage of the promised Messiah. But Jesus' recalling of David's words make an incredibly powerful point.

King David stands out in history as one of the most influential leaders the world has ever known. The leadership he characterized among his people changed the course of their nation so profoundly that even today the Jewish national emblem is called the "Star of David." Jesus' point in bringing up David, however, was that the Messiah would be even more important. While David was a very kingly kind of king, Jesus Christ is the King of kings.

Lordship is an interesting thing. Often it is a foreign concept in our modern western culture. We are far removed from the feudal days of lordly landowners and fealty. But e Lordship of Christ is larger than that anyways. Jesus, as Lord, is one who we can and should serve. And the real kicker is that he considered our service to himself important enough that he died for us. His death paved the way for our service. He served humanity so that humanity could serve him.

King David wrote about Messiah, calling him Lord. The disciples came to know Jesus as Lord and went on to change their whole world. One day every person that has ever lived will acknowledge him as Lord. He is Lord.

That all sounds very theologically astute, but what does it mean for us today? It means that there is value in service to God. It means that a life lived in pursuit of God is not a wasted life. Living the God-life, calling Jesus Lord, there is great fulfillment in that.

March 25 - The Good Portion?

Read: Luke 10:38-42

And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. (Luke 10:39 ESV)

Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and began to serve his needs and offer hospitality. Her sister Mary was captivated by Jesus and sat at his feet listening to his teaching. Martha didn't like it at all. In her opinion Mary had left her to do all the work. Jesus' gentle rebuke of Martha's complaining speaks volumes. Martha was blessed by her service to The Lord, but Mary was more blessed by sitting at his feet to enjoy his presence.

This brief story sheds light on a big question among some Christians today. What is more important: serving Jesus through your actions, or serving him through abiding in his presence? The answers are as varied as the lives of those who ask the question.

Truthfully, there isn't a blanket answer that fits the life of every believer and every scenario. The story of Mary and Martha shows us that in this specific example Jesus was very pleased with Mary's decision to simply enjoy his presence. However, it is also clear that at other points Scripture is very clear about the need for us to actually doing something.

The big idea found here I believe is that we cannot assume that the way we connect to Jesus or serve him is how everyone else must do it. Let me be clear, I believe everyone must connect to Jesus. He is after all the "way, the truth, and the life". But let us not assume that the good portion is the same for everyone. Where Jesus calls one to instruction and abiding, he may call someone else to action and serving.