Called to Serve

While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.’ Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favour of him. And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able.’ He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’ When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ Matthew 20:17-28

One of the biggest challenges for human beings is to be patient and wait our turn. As children, we always want the honor of being line leader. Some ache for recognition and high pay, while others crave power and control. We do not want to be thought of as part of the "huddling masses" or a nameless and powerless servant. And yet, that is exactly where we are called, to serve others. Living for Jesus means getting back to basics, taking up the ladle and the broom.

Loving Creator, you fill us with your love

you give us communities which form us

you put us in families who feed and comfort us

and you give us your spirit and compassion.

Too often, we want recognition over kindness

we lean in for celebrity rather than compassion 

we turn our home into showcases instead of sanctuaries

and wonder why we feel so very much alone.

Turn our hearts again in this season, Lord

let us let go of our need for fame and fortune

opening our hands and hearts to our neighbors

so your love might flourish in this world. Amen.