“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen” (Mathew 20:16)
Once at a certain function a high table had been set for one renown ArchBishop who had just presided over an event. However, as he was being marched to his seat at the head of the table, the Arch Bishop stepped back and took a seat at the very end of the table. The organizers panicked. His place was at the head; the Arch Bishop had to be pulled off the small chair, and dragged to take his seat at the head of the table where there was indeed a big chair reserved for him.
Contrast his reluctance with a now familiar scene on many roads, where top officials habitually demand right of way, pushing others into the trenches. In many public organizations and even churches seniority means perks like a private parking space and your name at the top of the allowance list, regardless of one’s contribution. Titles are habitually thrown around as though to put others in the corner.
The Jesus way is quite different. During the last supper, “he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him” ( John 13:4-5). One may feel the shock of the disciples whose notion of a leader was anything but bending down to clean their dirty feet.
Jesus noticed the confusion, and to clarify he pointed out to them, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” ( vv 13- 15).
Perhaps you have heard of a term called “servant leadership”. In this case we see a radical view of what leadership means. It is not to put self-first; but those we serve first! It is not to seek one’s interest first; but those we serve first! Shocking? Of course! After all culturally many of us have been raised with notion that a leader is supposed to be served, and not the other way round.
Yet imagine a case were our leaders at home, in local councils, organizations, churches and government, put others interest first. What a difference it would make. May we pray for such leaders, as we take after Jesus in practicing servant leadership.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you have taught us to serve others first, may we practice servant leadership in our daily walk of life, with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ!
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
