Among You As One Who Serves
& expressing gratitude.
Luke 22:24-30 | Philippians 4:4-7 | Gospels during Lent: Matthew 1-3
What’s interesting is that Jesus agrees that the master at the table is “greater,” but says it isn’t the point. He has come to serve. What a contrasting message for any Christian seeking to advance, to control, even to lead.
I am among you as one who serves.
In two weeks, many Christians will recognize and remember Jesus washing the disciples’ feet on Maundy Thursday. For so many, this is a nice sideshow, a cute demonstration of the servant-like dedication of our Lord.
But what if it’s more than that?
Luke 22:24-30
An argument broke out among the disciples over which one of them should be regarded as the greatest.
But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles rule over their subjects, and those in authority over them are called ‘friends of the people.’ But that’s not the way it will be with you. Instead, the greatest among you must become like a person of lower status and the leader like a servant. So which one is greater, the one who is seated at the table or the one who serves at the table? Isn’t it the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
“You are the ones who have continued with me in my trials. And I confer royal power on you just as my Father granted royal power to me. Thus you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones overseeing the twelve tribes of Israel.
Philippians 4:4-7
Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.
Prayer
God,
I am glad, Lord. I am glad, indeed.
Is it because it’s a beautiful pre-Spring Saturday morning? The sun is shining? The temp is rising? Yes, I am glad for these things.
But I’m also glad for the light you have brought into my life. I’m glad for the warmth of the love I know from you and from others through whom I know your love. I’m glad for the person of Jesus, honestly, without whom I’m not sure I’d choose to believe.
Thank you for my family, my home, my church, and all the community I know in these things and others as well. Thank you for food, which you know I really, really enjoy. Thank you for fresh air and greening grass.
And thank you for the opportunity to even express these things.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.