Thursday 25 July 2024
"It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (vs 26-28)
Background
We all want the best for our offspring and – if it is right – for them to advance and achieve something more than we have. So, forgive this woman for wanting this for her sons. And resist joining with the anger of the ten (v. 24).
Instead look at the teaching that Jesus brings from the request. Jesus shows another way. He reveals to the ten that the ways of God's kingdom differ from the ways of the world. “It will not be the same among you” says Jesus (v. 26). We are called to service. Jesus goes further, inviting us to be enslaved to others in our service (v. 27). That means it's for them to lead us in our service, not for us to determine what we will give or do for them. Of course, this is not just for the individual but for the whole community lest the serving becomes abused.
But then Jesus goes further. In the next verse he informs them that their (and our) radical service needs to push beyond the offer in stating that the offering of his life is our example to follow (v. 28). This comes, remember after Peter reflects on all he has given up and Jesus saying that they will receive a hundredfold in return (Matthew 19:27-30). And do not worry if you are starting your service late in life. For, between Peter’s questioning in chapter 19 and today’s passage we have the parable of the vineyard which ends with the truth of Jesus’ generous equality (Matthew 20:1-16). Of course this is not one-sided. For if we are truly the fellowship of Christ then we will be constantly receiving the service of others. How blessed we are to be part of God’s holy family.
To Ponder:
- What is it for you to commit to a life of service?
- How do your ways and views differ from the ways of the world?
- What does it mean for your church or fellowship to be a place of service, and how does that look in practice?
- What if you started a movement of radical service (enslaved to others) in your church?
Prayer
Thank you, God for setting this radical alternative way for your people. Help me in my service to give (and receive from others) with the same generosity that Jesus offers. And may this be a mark of my discipleship. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd David Newlove
David is Co-Superintendent in the North Cumbria Circuit. He is also an agricultural chaplain and he has been designated as the Mission Area Lead for Cumbria in the new North West England District.