Servants of All
33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37 "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." (Mark 9:33-37)
We give the disciples a lot of flack. They didn't understand Jesus' mission, nor did they understand their roll in that mission. They thought their chosen-ness had not just set them apart for service, but that they had been set above for some type of honor. This misunderstanding caused conflict as they each jockeyed for position.
They were so clueless.
We may know better than to phrase our assumptions so crassly, but often we still have the same heart as those first disciples. We tend to think of our calling as a privilege, and our service as payment. We think that, if we serve better or more often, we can earn a trouble-free life; that the rewards will come in the form of the specific blessings we desire. When this prosperity thinking doesn't pan out we can become embittered and ungrateful.
We are so clueless.
With immeasurable patience, Jesus sat down - a rabbinical teacher would sit as the students gathered around - and explained what they were, and we are, called to. As members of this inclusive fellowship, we are to be of service to others and welcome them, regardless of status or station, to join us in serving - creating an ever growing body of servants. Our acts of love point to the One who first loved us.
What would the world look like if each of us intentionally served those we come in contact with each day? Personally, it might look like regularly calling someone who's alone, offering to cut the grass of a single parent, standing up for the rights of another. Communally, it might look like every worker being paid fairly, every child receiving an equally beneficial education, every person having adequate shelter and food. Taking the time to consider the ways we can serve will broaden our perspective and deepen our compassion for one another.
God's kingdom come, God's will be done - on earth as it is in heaven.
14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
(James 3:14-18)
