Today’s scripture: Matthew 20:20-28 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Brenda Corbello):
When I read this passage, the first thing that came to mind was the concept of “humility and service.” I think I understand what Jesus was talking about when He told the disciples that they should seek to be servants. But I am a little confused about Him saying, “Whoever wants to be first among you…” What does that mean? Being “first” and being a “servant” do not seem to go together. What would to be “first” entail? Does that somehow put you ahead of someone else? Doesn’t that go against what He was teaching? Am I being too literal?
I think I should just focus on the “humility” and “service.” These are very hard concepts for me to embrace at times. It seems to me that we are encouraged to be successful in life, and that seems to require that we try to be better than the other people around us. We are taught to be competitive. We are taught to try to get the best deal we can. It is often seen as a weakness to allow someone to get more than their share from us.
Then I think about my children. It is so easy for me to be generous with them. Because I love them so much, I do not struggle with the concept of fairness and competition. Maybe that could be the model for me when it comes to dealing with others outside my family. Aren’t we supposed to love others as God loves us? Aren’t we supposed to be forgiving and patient?
I also think about such people as Mother Teresa. Everything she did, she did for love. She did not seek personal gain. She wanted to be a servant to the poor out of her love for them and God. I am realistic enough to know that my devotion to the love of God will never take me to the places she went, but I do have faith that I can be more of a servant to those around me than I have been.
I have so often let “a little power” go to my head. I really appreciate that I can be reminded by studying scriptures such as this one, that I can still seek to be more of a servant like Jesus. I am reminded that “awarding places of honor” is not to be done in this life. Someone else is taking care of that.
Prayer for the day: God, thank you for this reminder. I ask for the strength to be Your servant. It is not a sign of weakness to bow done to someone else; to put someone else’s needs before your own. Help me to remember everyday to help others to see who is in charge, and that it is not me.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.