Skip to main content

New Article: Be Last

 

 

Peter was probably not surprised when he learned that Jesus wanted to talk to him.  Someone had to take charge of the followers when Jesus went back to heaven.  Perhaps Peter thought this was his big promotion.

If so, he was quickly disappointed.  Jesus’ message to Peter was, “Feed my sheep!” (John 21:15-20).  Not “lead my sheep” but feed them.  Typically, this was a job given to the youngest, most insignificant member of the family.  You may recall that years before, when Samuel came to anoint a new king, David was not present, because, as the youngest, he was out with the sheep.  “Feed my sheep” was not a high-level assignment.  In essence, Peter was being asked to humble himself and serve everyone els

Jesus consistently taught that we ought to serve one another.  Several times he stated that, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).  His own example was that he “Did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

 Unfortunately, Jesus’ followers were more concerned about recognition, honour, and power.  One time, they were arguing about something, and when Jesus asked what they were talking about, no one wanted to tell him.  They had been arguing about who was the greatest! (Mark 9:3

Sadly, things have not changed much.  In 2019, our congregation celebrated its 100th anniversary.  Hundreds of people showed up.  It was wonderful.  The only complaint I received afterwards came from those who felt they had not been given enough recognition.  No one complained that they were not asked to wash more dishes, or take out more garbage, or that they did not get to spend more hours cleaning up afterwards.   The only complaint was from those who felt they ought to have had a bigger spotlight.

 Can we forget ourselves and serve God and others?  Can we do the right thing, whether anyone sees it or not?  Can we elevate serving instead of being served?

 Here is a secret: Living that way will not only help others, but it will also bless you, too!

 Here is another secret:  Serving is how Jesus changed the world.

 “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done” (John 13:15). 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

New Article: Grace Changes Everything

               A young man broke into a business and did $5000 damage. As part of his Restorative Justice sentence, he was required to meet with my friend Garth.   Garth believes in making apologies and restitution.   It took several months, but Garth finally convinced the young man that these were necessary steps, so he tried to arrange a meeting with the business owner.                The business owner wanted nothing to do with this situation.   He was angry and wanted a more severe form of justice.   Eventually, however, he agreed to meet the young man to hear what he had to say.                  The young man looked the business owner in the eye an...

The Art of Noticing.... Seeing what we need to see and what we miss when we don't

 What we focus on in life matters. Here are some scriptural reminders that will help us see correctly.  https://youtu.be/Rn76tV0ZH8s    

New Article: Think Abundance Not Scarcity

                 “There are no trees in Saskatchewan!”                I have heard that statement many times, mostly from people who moved to Estevan from places like British Columbia or northern Ontario.   Compared to what they expect, Saskatchewan, and Estevan in particular, seems rather barren.   However, that statement is not true.   More than half the province is covered with trees.   Go up north and there are trees everywhere.                A few months ago, I came across an aerial photo of Estevan from the 1950s.   When I showed it to my girls, the first thing they said was, “Wow, there are no trees in that picture!”   The photo looked odd ...