Tuesday June 13, 2023

Today is Tuesday, June 13 and we are learning about serving Christ and others.

As I begin this time of prayer, I center myself upon the goodness of God. I slow my breathing and calm my mind. With every exhale I relinquish negative thoughts, worries and fears. With every inhale I take in God’s love, joy and peace.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord and Savior, take my hand, guide my steps and lead me on this pilgrim journey. Open my heart, mind and soul and help me comprehend the truth you speak into my life today. Amen.

In the morning I seek God and praise him with the words of Psalm 90.

Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:13-14

Pause and Pray

One day the sons of Zebedee, James and John, came to Jesus. Their mother Salome was with them. She had a request. She asked Jesus, at the coming of his kingdom, for her two sons to sit at his right and his left. An enthroned ruler keeps the most valuable and important persons within arms reach, at their right and left hand. This is not a place of service so much as it is a place of power and prominence. The overt desire is for status, honor and privilege. Jesus used this request as an opportunity to teach the disciples what it means to serve.

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “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.” Matthew 20:24-28

Jesus turned the values of the world upside down when he suggested that humble serving is the road to greatness. Jesus was obedient to his Father’s will his entire life, even to his death on the cross. His death paid the price for sinful humanity, freeing believers to give total obedience to the God of the universe. Jesus wants me to serve him. I serve him by loving him. I serve him by loving and serving others. Whatever I do for one of God’s children I do for him. Whatever I do to the least and lost, I do to Jesus.

Ask: What are my motivations for serving God and others? What do I seek in return for my acts of service?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I confess the times when I have sought favor for myself or members of my family like the wife and sons of Zebedee. Forgive the times I have offered my service out of self-seeking motivation or selfish gain. Give me a humble heart willing to serve others in simple obscurity without recognition. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “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.” Matthew 20:24-28

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

Today I consider the ways I serve others. How do I serve my spouse, my family, my friends, my coworkers, my church, my community? What is my posture and the root of my motivation to serve? Perhaps I serve out of a desire for power or authority. Maybe I have a deep need to be needed. Perhaps I long for approval, seek recognition or desire signs of appreciation. Some serve out of a sense of guilt or in hopes of making up for past misdeeds. God wants me to have pure intention and offer myself in service to him and others out of a sincere heart filled with humility and love. In every act of service I have the opportunity to adopt the same humble, gentle, generous and sacrificial attitude that characterized Jesus.

Pause and pray

Come, Lord Jesus, reveal the root of my motivations and give me a pure heart. Show me how to live a life of love, offering myself in humble service to your kingdom, expecting nothing in return but the knowledge that I have done your will. I look to you as I begin this day and seek to accomplish whatever it is you ask of me with gentleness and kindness. Amen.

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 10:45

I leave this time of prayer, to pour myself out for others and humbly serve God and neighbor in all I do.

Amen