Monday November 6, 2023

Today is Monday, November 6 and we are studying what the Bible says about authority.

I come to find the quiet center, a sacred space amid a busy life where I am able to just be with God. I silence my thoughts, focus my mind and slow my breathing as I welcome his loving presence.

Pause and Pray

Holy and Loving God, you are Lord of my life and Shepherd of my soul. I surrender myself to you and submit to your authority. Speak into my life and circumstances. I am eager to receive whatever you have to offer. Amen.

I rejoice in the Lord my God and praise him with the words of Psalm 89.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness. Psalm 89:15-16

Pause and Pray

James and John belonged to Jesus’ inner circle. If Jesus was going to die and be raised in Jerusalem, they may have thought this journey to Jerusalem was their last opportunity to put in a request for future assignments. They hoped to have authority and places of honor in the coming kingdom. They asked to be seated at the right and left hand of Jesus. The other disciples were understandably indignant at their request. Jesus explains that things will be different in the kingdom of God. Organizational hierarchy, earthly authority and worldly powers are turned upside down.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as 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 slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45

The ways of God are not the ways of humans. Humans love organizational systems, power plays, climbing the ladder and gaining prestige. Most of us are familiar with people in power who “lord it over” those who are lower in the organization. We might think of officials who have misused their power or unfairly exercised their authority over others. Jesus says that is not to be the way of Christians. Each of us is first called to serve, to be a slave to others, to give our lives for the good of other people as Jesus gave his life for us. Humble service is considered great in the kingdom of God.

Ask: What is my motivation for serving? When do I struggle to humbly submit to the authority of God and others?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I humbly bow in your presence and surrender to your authority over my life. Forgive me when I fall short of your expectations and fail to serve you and others as I should. Teach me the ways of your kingdom that are in contrast with the ways of the world. Grant me the fruit of humility and show me how I can devote myself to faithfully serving my brothers and sisters. I read the words from Mark again and listen for the message you have for me.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as 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 slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God endeavors to speak to me through the words of holy scripture and I am learning to listen. I consider how today’s passage informs my current circumstances. Where might I need to exercise more humility? When might I be resisting Christian authority? Perhaps I should submit myself to the authority of another or surrender my will before the will of God. Maybe God wants me to reconsider my responses to those who are in authority over me or have power over my life. How does the authority of the world contrast with the authority of Christ?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, I invite you into my relationships and daily interactions. Reveal my pride and show me the places I struggle to humbly surrender to your will. Put in my heart a desire to love and serve others and grant me a pure intention and right motivation. Inspire me to lay down my life in love and service to others. Amen.

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. John 10:14-15,18

I leave this time of prayer blessed by the sacrificial love of the Shepherd. I go to faithfully love and humbly serve others in his name.

Amen