I want to be a slave! No— not really. Jesus calls us to be servants of all, and we are fine with that until someone comes along and wants to have power and authority over us. Especially those we disagree with. Then we get mad at their trying to be all high and mighty. Why is that? Isnt that the lot of a servant? It seems that being a servant (or a slave) isnt all we thought it would be. Deep down we still want power. Power to control others. Power to be left alone. Jesus answered, You dont know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink? They said to him, We are able. He told them, You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right and at my left is not mine to give. Rather, it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father. Now when the other ten heard this, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions use their authority over them. It must not be this way among you! Instead whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:22-28 [NET] Jesus had power. But as with a lot of ways in which God works, power comes in exactly the opposite way that we think it should come. The biggest impact we have is giving our lives for the betterment of others—to bring them to Christ, not to us. Power doesnt come from controlling behavior. It doesnt come from political strength. It doesnt come from being granted guaranteed rights… …it comes from serving others, not expecting any returns. No ulterior motives. Pure, honest servanthood. Help me to believe, Father. I want to be a slave. Really.
Posted on: Wed, 14 May 2014 12:37:58 +0000