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- Apr 25, 2006
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SERVING/GETTING
'I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you...' 2 Corinthians 12:15
The disciples had missed it again. They'd clocked up a few miles with Jesus, they had front row seats of Jesus' ministry and they'd seen some amazing miracles. They were feeling pretty good about themselves, and why shouldn't they? They'd made some big sacrifices for Jesus. And, when Jesus was tired after preaching to the masses, it was James and John that He'd chill out with and unwind.
So one evening, they boldly went where no disciple had been before, 'Master... We want to sit on the thrones next to yours in your kingdom...' Jesus carefully put them in their place, explaining how God's kingdom is a topsy-turvy place, 'Among you it is different. Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant. And whoever wants to be greatest of all must be the slave of all. For even I, the Messiah, am not here to be served but to help others and give my life as a ransom for many' (Mark 10:43-45 TLB).
It's easy to think we'd never be so proud as the disciples were here, but we can quickly lose perspective too. God's Kingdom isn't brain surgery, but it does mean heart surgery. Even if 'getting and gaining' might make you successful, it's only by serving that you become significant.
What now? Look at Colossians 3:23. It's not just about a heart attitude to serving, as in today's reading, it can also help remind you who you're actually working for when you feel unappreciated by others.
written by Bob Gass
'I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you...' 2 Corinthians 12:15
The disciples had missed it again. They'd clocked up a few miles with Jesus, they had front row seats of Jesus' ministry and they'd seen some amazing miracles. They were feeling pretty good about themselves, and why shouldn't they? They'd made some big sacrifices for Jesus. And, when Jesus was tired after preaching to the masses, it was James and John that He'd chill out with and unwind.
So one evening, they boldly went where no disciple had been before, 'Master... We want to sit on the thrones next to yours in your kingdom...' Jesus carefully put them in their place, explaining how God's kingdom is a topsy-turvy place, 'Among you it is different. Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant. And whoever wants to be greatest of all must be the slave of all. For even I, the Messiah, am not here to be served but to help others and give my life as a ransom for many' (Mark 10:43-45 TLB).
It's easy to think we'd never be so proud as the disciples were here, but we can quickly lose perspective too. God's Kingdom isn't brain surgery, but it does mean heart surgery. Even if 'getting and gaining' might make you successful, it's only by serving that you become significant.
What now? Look at Colossians 3:23. It's not just about a heart attitude to serving, as in today's reading, it can also help remind you who you're actually working for when you feel unappreciated by others.
written by Bob Gass
