Born to serve

This week, Holy Week, we reflect on Jesus. His life, death and resurrection and what that means to you and me.  As I have been taking my own time to reflect, this verse has repeatedly come to mind.

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 20:28

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, the Vine, the Resurrection and the Life… came to serve.

One thing is clear, that the kingdom of God operates very differently from our world - the promises of heaven, the fullness and newness of life, healing and so much more. It seems to be completely opposite to the world we live in.

In the scripture found in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is taking the opportunity to teach about the Kingdom of God after a heated moment among the disciples. It seems that earlier in this chapter the mother of James and John wanted to make sure that her boys had the best seats in heaven.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

LOL…I get it.  As a mom, I want the very best for my kids. I want them on the top, in the front or at least on the list, right?

The disciples, however were none too pleased about this request. They were like, “Dudes, you sent your mom? Really?” Which led to a kind of uproar among them.

But Jesus knew what was at the heart of the matter, they didn’t understand how the Kingdom of God worked.

So he begins to break it down for them, leading to what he said in verse 28. It’s as if he is telling the disciples, I am not here to show you what it looks like to be at the top.  I am here to show you what it is like to be in My Kingdom.

As a Son, Jesus understood the depth of God’s love but as a servant he understood the seriousness of God’s command.

This is what Jesus wanted us and the disciples to know, that the hierarchy of the kingdom looks nothing like our world. It is as much an honour and privilege to be a servant of God as it is to be a child of God.  And, to serve God is to see the act of serving as one of the greatest honours on this side of heaven.

So, friends, today as we prepare for Good Friday, and the celebration of Easter, remember that Jesus was sent to give His life as a ransom— for you and me. Which means we have been set free of sin and shame. We are new in Jesus Christ… Hallelujah!! So, with that knowledge and gratitude let us continue to seek God first and serve God well!

fearfully and wonderfully made

For you created my inner being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14

There have been several times in my life when this verse has captured my heart and stirred me like no other.  For instance,

• When I first became a Christian and understanding the depth of God’s love for me.

• When I was expecting each of our beautiful children. This verse reminded me of how God was in control and the precious cargo I was carrying were first created by the Creator.

• When I taught prenatal classes. For 15 years prior to becoming an ordained pastor, I had the honour of guiding women and their partners through the joys of pregnancy and childbirth. I wanted my clients to embrace the miracle of what was happening. I wanted them to appreciate the awesomeness that even without being conscience of it, a human being is being formed within her womb! This verse laid the foundation for me.

• And today as I reflect and pray over my son and daughter-in-“love” as they expect their first child, our first grandchild. This cherished little being they carry is fearfully and wonderfully made, first and foremost, by God.

David, the author of Psalm 139, points out in other portions of the Psalm that God knows everything about us; God’s presence is inescapable; and God thinks about us so much that such thoughts can not be numbered. In this scripture we read that there is a God who has a design, a plan for each one of us, with all of our complexities and intricacies, God has designed us uniquely.  God knit us together.  God wove us together. God was intentional about our design — which means there is no part of us that is a mistake or mishap or a blemish.  And that sets the tone for where David, the author of Psalm 139, takes the text next.  David burst into an expression of praise when he says….  “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”.

Fearfully and wonderfully and not words we often use to describe ourselves.   But here in the text, it has a really robust meaning.

Fearfully means to be in awe of, or to bring reverence too.

Wonderfully means to be distinguished by; to be distinct or set apart.

And that sets the framework for everything that David is trying to communicate.

David is telling us that we— you and me — are people who are set apart. We are people who are created and designed to inspire awe, not just in one another but in the world. This is cause for David to worship and praise God.

There is much we can glean from this passage but the most important truth, and I pray you take this in… God has spoken over you. You are distinct, and you are aided to inspire awe in the world and in one another. So, allow that reality to shape how you show up, not just today but in the days ahead!

With all you've got!

What is the most important thing we can do today?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength.

When Jesus was asked by the religious leaders what  the most important command was, He quoted Deuteronomy 6:5.  This verse contains the most important command in all of scripture.

It is an important reminder for us and it was an important reminder to the Israelites. God had delivered them from being slaves in Egypt, but they were not yet at the place that was promised. They were not yet in the place they hoped for, so they are in the middle.

Perhaps today, you too feel like you are in the middle.  You have been set free from things that have held you back but you are also still waiting for something that feels far out of reach.

In Deuteronomy Moses speaks to the Israelites reminding them, in the middle, who they are, and what they have come from and what it is that God asks of them.

We read in Deuteormomy 6:5,  Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and all your strength. Essentially it is saying, “Love God with all you’ve got!”  And you might feel like you don’t have much, your heart is heavy and your soul is depleted and your strength is running out and God is saying…. “Love me with all you’ve got!”  “ Draw closer to me”.

As we draw near to God, God will heal our heart, God will revive our soul and renew our strength.  Just like the Israelites needed to be reminded, I want to remind you, of who you are, what you have come from… you are loved and chosen by God and your life has purpose.  Look at how far you have come.  Look at what God has delivered you from. Don’t forget the faithfulness of God and don’t forget His command.

Amidst everything you have to do in your life, the most important thing is that you love God wholly and completely.

Don’t give God half your life.  Don’t give God just the part that is easiest to give to Him.  Remember what God has brought you from and love God with all you’ve got!