Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 8:10-18; Matthew 25:14-30 (day two)
Recently I read an article of a former classmate of mine who has just been named to a highly esteemed position in the early music world in New York City. I was delighted to hear of his success, but then the inner voices began; you know the ones. He’s younger than you…this will bring him fame, and fortune…look at all his success. It is so easy to covet and lose sight of what God has done for each of us. As I reread the Parable of the Talents, I was quickly reminded to make the most of what God had given to me. God’s measure of success is vastly different from mine, and it would be folly to think that I know how to better use my gifts than the Lord. God has uniquely blessed each of us, and we are to find a way to cultivate it, so there will be a great return on His investment.
Talented people
Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 8:10-18; Matthew 25:14-30 (day one)
“A man going on a journey. . .called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent.” (Matthew 25:14-15) Our English word actually comes from this story. In the time of Christ, a talent was a coin or weight of measure. As the gospel spread through the world (and we praise God for it’s gradual, powerful influence) talent came to mean a God-given ability or skill. There are no untalented people! That is what Jesus would say. Some receive many gifts. Others few. All some. “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7) The important point is that we all owe the Giver effective use of His gifts. Money, time, family, freedom, health, opportunities, skill, education, creativity, mentors. . .What has God given you? What will you employ in His kingdom service?
Shelter and shadow
Re: Verse reading–Mark 10:35-45; John 13:12-17; James 2:14-17 (day seven)
“He who dwells in the SHELTER of the Most High will abide in the SHADOW of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1)
“If you know these things, you will be BLESSED if you do them.” (John 13:17)
Jesus calls us to a life of blessing. What He commands of us is difficult, no argument, but very beneficial. His formula for abundant life. In the ancient world a shadow was a good thing, a cool, protected place to stand in the desert heat. Jesus promises this cool blessing to all who surrender to His life and example. It is not enough to know what He teaches. We must do what He teaches. We must deny self and ego and begin to serve others. Those who do so begin to experience the results that are promised to the children of God. Do you desire to live in the shelter and shadow of the Almighty? Believe and begin today!
The Other Symbol
Re: Verse reading- Mark 10:35-45; John 13:12-17; James 2:14-17 (day five) 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The disciples were so selfish and seemingly disconnected from what was really going on. Jesus was communicating really BIG things. Perhaps they picked up on the symbol of the cross. It is the ultimate sign of submission and sacrifice. I’m guessing though, they missed the other symbol. The towel. It is the symbol of service. Most of us know deep in our hearts we are not the greatest. No need to be convinced. But, our pride and selfishness create this desire to not be “the least” (last). “At least I’m better than some/most”. Yet, Jesus challenges this idea with His teaching and actions. So, they not only heard it (Mark 10), they saw it (John 13).
Footwashing followers
RE Verse reading–Mark 10:35-45; John 13:12-17; James 2:14-17 (day six) “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14) Washing feet was stinky business. Unpleasant and thankless. The work of slaves. A symbol for all ego-insulting and necessary tasks. When the King of Glory knelt to do this work, He created a crisis in the heart of every follower. Do I deny MYSELF ( my protests and desires for recognition and pleasure) or do I deny MY MASTER? Both in example and instruction Jesus commanded the path of humility and service–make the apology, accept the assignment, deny yourself, meet the need even at the cost of great discomfort. Jesus warned us not to attempt a life of higher privilege and ego-safety than He allowed Himself. He even promised a blessing to those who follow Him example. What prevents our obedience? What hard thing will you do today because you are a follower of Jesus?
Christlikeness
Re: Verse reading- Mark 10:35-45; John 13:12-17; James 2:14-17 (day four) How do we know how to act as a Christian? In any given situation, how do we know how to respond? We have an example…Jesus has come to earth to show us how to respond to God. As a child of God, our character, our behavior, our actions should follow the example of Christ. In our reading today, Jesus gives us an example of servant hood. There was an expectation on Jesus’ part that the disciples follow His example. Albert Schweitzer once said, “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” Schweitzer recognized what Jesus taught…if our lives do not look like Christ…if we do not follow His example…our relationship is not genuine. There must be a visible obedience in our lives to confirm our true relationship. Christ-likeness is our goal. How are you measuring up?
Actual
Re: Verse reading–Mark 10:35-45; John 13:12-17; James 2:14-17 (day three)
“You also should wash one another’s feet.” Question: Why did Jesus wash his disciples’ feet? Answer: Because their feet needed washing. Jesus did not take this action in order to teach his disciples a lesson, though it did teach them. He did not do what he did as a demonstration of servanthood, although it demonstrated plenty. His action was rooted in actual service, not servanthood theater. The example Jesus set for them was not one of sentiment (“How sweet that the Son of God is doing a menial task”), but love (“I will do good to you”). When we move from a motivation that says “I am supposed to serve” to one that says “I will do good to people in need”, we begin to serve like Jesus taught us.
Wally
Re: Verse reading–Mark 10:35-45; John 13:12-17; James 2:14-17 (day two)
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
My first HS job in Texas was at O’Connor High School here in San Antonio. The head band director and Fine Arts Chairman was Wally Dierolf. Most of you know that 5A band directors rank almost equal to 5A football coaches; it is a lofty position at the school. Even though he had 400+ students and the largest program in the district, every day at lunch he would take brown paper bag and sit on the floor at the front of the “M” building to make sure no one entered the building during those lunch periods that wasn’t supposed to be there. He could have easily requested another duty, and frankly could have requested to not have one at all. He did this lunch duty so that the rest of the fine arts teachers could have a break. He worked so we could rest. He sacrificed so that we could do our jobs better.
He was a tremendous band director, but I will never forget the lessons of servant leadership that he learned from Jesus and taught to me.
The cup of Christ
Re: Verse reading–Mark 10:35-45; John 13:12-17; James 2:14-17 (day one)
“You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?. . .The cup that I drink you shall drink. . .but to sit at my right hand is not mine to give.” (Mark 10:38-40) When Jesus spoke of suffering, He often used the metaphor of a cup. Contemplating the cross, He said, “Father, if you are willing, remove this CUP from me.” (Luke 22:42) Same picture when James and John come asking for places of honor and fame. True greatness is not found in avoidance of pain, a privileged life above the ordinary stresses of the common man. The true measure of a great person is to bear suffering for the good of others. Those who follow Christ must expect difficult assignments, hard-to-drink cups. Good to know that the Lord drank His cup before asking the same courage of us. It was (is) the door to greatness.
Repentance and Forgiveness
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 24:1-6; Ephesians 5:1-16 (day seven)
Preparing for worship today, I came across Luke 24:46-47. “Thus it written, that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead. . .and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations.” The words of the Lord speak to my heart, remind me of His unchanging message. Forgiveness is predicated on repentance! For sexual sin or any other kind, repentance is the condition of God’s offered mercy. “What strange kind of salvation do they desire who care not for holiness. . .They would be saved by Christ and yet be out of Christ in a fleshly state. . .They would have their sins forgiven, not that they may walk with God in love, in time to come, but they may practice their enmity against Him without any fear of punishment”–Walter Marshall. I am praying for the Spirit of God to help us this morning as we seek Him together.