servant – Page 3 – Be Still…

Matthew 20:17-28 – Be a Servant

Before Jesus’ teaching on being a servant, he spoke of his own death again. This time, he spoke about the Son of Man (himself) in third person. Why does he share again? I’m guessing it’s to prepare his friends. He is telling them exactly what is going to happen. This time he connects it with being in Jerusalem, their destination. Jesus is headed right into his destiny. How was he feeling about that? How would you have felt?

It doesn’t say what the disciples’ response was. I’m guessing they are still finding it hard to believe. Jesus is so popular. How is it possible that he will be killed so ruthlessly? Our reading quickly shifts to the scene with the mother of James and John. She is asking for favor for her sons. Jesus isn’t about to grant her request, it is not his place to do so.

Matthew 4:23-25 – Do You Like Crowds?

Read Matthew 4:23-25

I am not much of a crowd person. I suppose it goes back to a time when I was in a parking ramp after a huge concert got out. It was bumper to bumper the whole way down…and I’m not a huge fan of parking ramps in the first place. But I do like the energy a crowd can bring when gathered for a common goal. Like in worship. When the music is so loud you can hardly hear yourself singing…but you know everyone around you is singing their heart out. I like that. When your football team scores a touchdown, and you’re in the stands shouting and jumping up and down with everyone else. I like that, too.

What are your feelings or thoughts about crowds? What do you picture when you see crowds around Jesus?

Hebrews 1:5-14 – What About Angels

Read Hebrews 1:5-14

I don’t know about you, but I have always had a fascination with angels. In the Bible, we’ve seen them appear with messages from God–think of the angel who told Mary she was going to give birth to God’s son, for example. They sing praise–think of Jesus’ birth that night in Bethlehem. In our world, we hear stories of people who say they have encountered an angel. Later in the book of Hebrews is the familiar passage about entertaining angels unaware (look for that in Chapter 13).

Here, the writer is quick to distinguish a hierarchy between angels and God’s Son, Jesus Christ. The focus on Christ’s superiority continues, and the writer uses Scripture to speak of Jesus’ identity and Lordship. Jesus is Lord, and there is nothing or nobody greater than him. Angels have an audience with God, but their authority and power is not equal to Jesus. Continue reading “Hebrews 1:5-14 – What About Angels”

Luke 17:1-10 – Faith & Forgiveness

Read Luke 17:1-10

How much time do we spend talking about sinfulness? It’s a subject we don’t like to think about because we expose ourselves, our faults and our wrong doings. But without exposure, how can we be cleansed. God sees our hearts no matter how much we try to cover up our messiness. When we do face our sin so that we can prayerfully ask for forgiveness, do we look beyond ourselves and pass blame?

We might say something like, “I wouldn’t have done it if so and so hadn’t made me.” We want to pass the blame torch, somehow lessening the guilt or shame we feel for our own sin. Rather, we should flat out admit we messed up and move on toward forgiveness. That is such a better place to be. Continue reading “Luke 17:1-10 – Faith & Forgiveness”

Luke 1:26-38 – Favor With God

Read Luke 1:26-38

Now it’s Mary’s turn to be visited by an angel with some unbelievable news. I imagine she is happy to be engaged, looking forward to her new life with Joseph as her husband. Perhaps there are wedding preparations underway. Weddings in those days and in that culture were quite different, sometimes lasting for days. There would be a lot of people attending, sometimes the whole village.

But now, an angel appears and turns these plans upside down. But don’t we all long to hear these words, “for you have found favor with God!” That had to stop Mary in her tracks. As unbelievable as it sounded, she seemed much more willing and accepting of the message than Zechariah had of his own message in the last reading.

After trying to clarify how exactly a virgin could give birth, Mary was at peace. I love her words, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” She was indeed the Lord’s servant. She was going to give him all she had – her body, her future, her trust. How willing are we to do the same?

One of my favorite Christmas songs is Mary, Did You Know? Click here for song. The words are so beautiful. Having been pregnant myself, I know the joy of having a baby growing inside. But how different it would be to know the baby was God?! At each thought, there had to be a extra jolt of joy, coupled with fear.

As young moms, we already fear the responsibility. We already fear that we will fail our children. Imagine if your child was God himself. God chose to come to earth as one of us so that he could feel what we feel. While he created us, to truly understand our weaknesses, he had to become one of us.

I really respect Mary and her bravery. She understood her culture and what this would do to her reputation. From this reading however, it is clear that all she could do was thank God and surrender to him. We should take this good example and be ready to surrender ourselves. Are you holding yourself back from a full surrender to God?

What job has God given you to do? What do you think your purpose is for God’s kingdom? While we have all been gifted something, we don’t all use those gifts. Our purpose is to use the gifts God has given us to help those around us, to further his kingdom here on earth, and to make a difference. We are God’s hands and feet, and we should be ready to do his will and serve others as he would serve.

Let’s pray. Father God, I thank you for the gifts you have given me. The joy and peace I feel when I use them for your glory is astounding. My wish for everyone is that they would experience this true joy. Don’t let me ignore your voice. I want to serve you, help others, and make this world a better place. Soften the hearts of those who resist. Provide understanding to those who aren’t following you. Draw me closer to your heart, oh God. Let me, too, find favor with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.