Serve!

Today's Reading:  Matthew 20:20-28

When I first read this I could not begin to understand this mother’s request. To be quite honest, it really bothered me that she would even ask that of Jesus. I am not sure why it bothered me so much, but it did and for the last couple of days I have read it over and over again trying to understand it. I even tried to write my thoughts down last night, but they seemed to come out of complete disappointment of how Jesus was treated. This woman was not rude or hurtful to Jesus, she even worshipped him before her request, but I guess the request bothered me so much because she seemed to place her sons on almost the same level as Jesus. While I have not always been the most devout Christian during my lifetime and I have made many mistakes it has always bothered me tremendously to see people place themselves above others and I suppose this is sort of what I saw in this mother’s request. There is no doubt that she loved her boys and even loved Jesus, but we can never, ever allow ourselves or let people lift us above others. When I really think about what we do, we seem to think we deserve better than the person next to us and we can come up with good reasons---I work harder, I have never had things handed to me, I would do more with the opportunity, and on and on. I have to admit I have done this, maybe not blatantly, but I have. But no matter the worst person in the world, Jesus loves them and they deserve no less and we deserve no more. Something also occurred to me as I began to write down these thoughts---I realized just how much I am beginning to truly love Jesus Christ. Why? I realized that this woman’s seemingly simply and ignorant act really made me upset, it made me jump to Jesus’ defense, and that my friend is where I want to be---even if I have to be brutally honest and let the ugly things in my life be revealed.

I finally get it---just now, as I write these words down! In the last few scriptures (vs.24-28) when the disciples become ‘indignant’ with this woman’s request, Jesus seems to be saying to them, listen don’t take this request to heart, she doesn’t know any better, this is how her people operate. Then Jesus says (in my words) now for you, you are different, this is not how you are to operate, you are not to be concerned about status or being first---in fact your plan of action for this life is the complete opposite---you are to serve and the more you serve the greater you will become in my kingdom.

We are truly not of this world and therefore we cannot live our lives as this world sees fit---it just will simply not work.

Thank you God for continuing to humble me with each day that passes, I stand in awe of your magnificent glory that surrounds me as this world attacks. Sometimes things hurt, but God you are so much greater than anything that comes my way. I am so thankful that you choose me for this task and I am so grateful that you allow me to see things through your eyes and not the eyes of this world! I pray that you continue to remind to serve and not be served!