 |
 |
Devotions Archive
Archive:
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
2024
Servant heartWednesday, February 27, 2002
Matthew 20:20-28 "What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom." "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. ... "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
"Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first 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."
At the Olympics, President Bush came down from the viewing box high above the stadium to stand with the American athletes. It was from there that he made the pronouncement officially opening the Winter Games. After he finished speaking, the girl next to him handed him her cell phone. And he said hello to her parents, or her boyfriend, or whoever she decided to call. Tears came to my eyes. I loved him at that moment; I think that's really what I felt. His simple willingness to "serve" cut through any and all of my political opinions. Since last year's bombing in New York, servants and service have gotten much more press. Nothing could be more healthy for our collective psyche. I cannot aspire to sit at the right hand of Jesus. There is no glory in taking that position, but only in receiving it. How boring would it be anyway, sitting up there high in the air, when there's so much to be done? When you sit with me, Lord, when my needs become yours and my joys become yours, when you weep with me and laugh with me...I love you. And I want to do what you do. |
Again, Jesus sets the standard high. There is no fame, no fortune, no glory in anything but service. Beauty, peace, joy are made manifest and experienced when I wash feet, not when my feet are washed, or even better when we find a way to wash each other's feet.