Today’s readings: Click on today’s date at http://www.usccb.org/bible/
The strength of servants
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
Matthew 20:25-28
Jesus said to his disciples, “You know the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant. Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”
While his disciples are vying for power and place, Jesus is preparing them for his death. He does not do this like Jeremiah did, in self-pity and resentment. And in fact, although Jeremiah did not die at the hands of his enemies, Jesus did. Jeremiah was thrown into a well but rescued. Jesus was cast into the hands of his enemies and crucified.
The last words Jesus spoke on the cross were “Into your hands I commend my spirit.” He trusted his Father up to and beyond his last breath.
What else would he do? We came from God and we return to God, and in the meantime the dust that we are takes on ego and we feel immortal. No, I am not immortal. I don’t know much about eternity, except that I’m living in it now. Here and now. And now. And now. And now. In this moment, Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit.
I remember a moment in the BBC sitcom “Are You Being Served?” Simple sales clerk Mr. Grainger is given the chance to be manager for a day or two. He suddenly smokes cigars and refuses to look the others in the face as he orders them around. He lords it over them. He has become one of the Great Ones and just can’t help himself. Power corrupts. For Mr. Grainger it doesn’t last long and he is bustled back into position as a peon. He repents. And his friends forgive him. In his shoes they might have done the same thing.
We’re going to die. Great ones and all. In the meantime, Jesus wants us to learn the art of the servant, love the gift of giving. Say less. Listen more. Take up little space, become large in spirit. Our joy will overflow and not stop flowing.
My destiny is in your hands, Lord, not in any others. So I will trust in you. Remind me every day, please, Lord, of this. I will trust in you.
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1346
