Time with Jesus - Thursday, 02
February 2012
Hi all,
We
all know that Jesus Christ is our Prophet, Priest and King. We also know that
He came here as a servant. We are mostly familiar with the chorus, “The Servant
King” by Graham Kendrick.
If
you ask any Christians they will tell you that we are supposed to be like
Jesus. We are supposed to serve one another and see others than better than
ourselves. Mark puts it as follows: - 42 Jesus
called the apostles and said, "You know that the acknowledged rulers of
nations have absolute power over people and their officials have absolute
authority over people. 43 But
that's not the way it's going to be among you. Whoever wants to become great among
you will be your servant. 44 Whoever wants to be most important among you will be a
slave for everyone. Mark 10:42-44 GW For the majority of us, this is
not the way we behave. Self importance and ambition tend to persuade us to put
this so far behind on the back burner that it is just about falling off. The
theory is nice. But let others do so.
Jesus
is quoted in Matthew 11 as telling us that 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has
arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is
least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Mat 11:11 ESV the one who is the least in the
Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John. This Scripture has been grossly misquoted
and misunderstood. Every teaching I’ve heard has said that a New Testament
Christian is better than John the Baptist. In other words, you and I are
greater than John the Baptist. As usual, we have put self-importance and
ambition above the clear meaning of Scripture.
Jesus
was saying to His disciples, “The Servant of all is the greatest in the Kingdom
of God.” Jesus Christ came as the servant of all. There is no doubt that in God’s
Kingdom, He is the greatest of all. But it is possible to emulate Jesus. We
must seek to be everyone’s servant. Sure, Jesus is a “hard act” to follow. But
it’s His level of servant-hood that makes us better than others. The way up in
God’s Kingdom is always down. So to become “better” than you, I must be your
servant.
God’s
Kingdom does not have a “pecking order”. It has a “serving order”. If you or I
are able to be a greater servant than Jesus Christ was, then we will be greater
in God’s Kingdom than He is. So if you have a vision for greatness in God’s
Kingdom, start serving others. In some respects, the late Mother Theresa got it
right. Her “secret” was to lovingly serve others. She did exactly that. “But
she wasn’t a Christian!” I hear people say. Be that as it may. She certainly
did what God’s Word tells us all to do. Become the servant of all.
Today’s
meditation looks at being a Servant priest. Are you a servant priest? Am I?
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland.
The Servant Priest
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Men thrive on self importance
and everything they’ve done.
Many are called ministers, but don’t obey God’s Son.
They look at other people, as
though they are not there.
And when it is convenient, they scream and yell and swear.
O Lord it is so easy to carry
on this way.
I know that I was doing it and am ashamed to say;
Just like the apostles I’ve
thought, “I am the best!”
Look at what God’s given me! It proves that I am blessed!”
But there has been an emptiness,
which blessings cannot fill.
An absence of Your presence. O Lord where is the thrill,
Of beautiful relationship? At
times my heart’s felt dead.
O Lord, where is the promise of being Spirit led?
My brother and my sister, does
this apply to you?
Someone who is struggling to do and do and do?
Is everything mechanical? Are
you behind a mask?
And what has happened to the joy behind your daily task?
My friend, I’ve been there
often. It is a path well trod.
A path that takes you everywhere, except to Father God.
Perhaps you cannot see the way
through all the many tears,
That you have shed while seeking Him, throughout your former years?
Is this perhaps a “somewhere”
you know you’ve often been?
Are you feeling dirty? Your memories unclean?
Like the twelve apostles are
you fighting to be top?
My brother and my sister, now is the time to stop.
It isn’t very easy. But Jesus
showed the way.
Make yourself contented, with Jesus every day.
Status isn’t anything. He
didn’t make a fuss.
He Who made the Universe became a one of us!
He didn’t cling to privilege;
He made Himself a slave;
Who’d think that the Creator would do something so brave?
And then the crucifixion. It
shakes me to the core!
For You have said so clearly, there isn’t any more,
That You could do for sinners.
“It’s finished” You have said.
And finally, to cap it all, You came back from the dead.
You did all this for people. O
Lord, it’s upside down.
You did it so that wicked men could also wear Your crown.
You showed us by example we
must become the least.
Honour other people; become a servant priest.
There are not many people at
the bottom of the pile.
So go ahead and join them; Be with them for a while!
Remember I have promised that
you will be My bride.
You’ll sit with Me in Glory; forever at My side.
So when you’re serving tables
and have to clean the loo. (Means toilet in SA)
You’re getting a promotion that’s perfect; just for you.
You do not have to like it.
Just do it all the same.
And you will know the glory, of serving in My Name.
Jim Strickland - Written Wednesday 2nd February 2012
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