A Thought For The Week Of November 18

Jesus said that "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) Jesus is often referred to as a King - even as the King of kings. That description brings to mind a certain image: someone extremely powerful, living in a palace, with every need being taken care of by a virtual flock of servants. A life of ease and pleasure. A life where the King gets everything he wants handed to him. But that wasn't Jesus. As I thought of the King of kings, and what that status meant to Jesus, I found myself drawn to these words. Jesus serves. He serves both us and the world. He makes sacrifices. He doesn't seek anything for himself; instead he willingly gives up everything for others. This is, indeed, a King like no other king you've ever heard of. And in the way Jesus exercises his royal and divine status is a model for us in how to live with each other. We are called to serve one another; not to lord it over each other. Status shouldn't count in the church. The only thing that should matter is that the gospel be faithfully lived out in both word and deed. And actually living the gospel renders each one of us servants to each other. Think of a community in which everyone seeks to meet everyone else's needs. Where love of neighbour truly is the rule of life. Where "I" is never as important as "you." That's what Jesus was modelling. Hopefully, we can all try to live that out. Have a great week!