The Messiah’s Kingdom
Will be Very Different
So Jesus called [the disciples] and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10: 42-45
It takes a lot of confidence to be humble. That sounds counterintuitive, but it’s true. Humility is not about acting like you’re worthless or shying away from power. Jesus himself says that his life will be a ransom for many; such a ransom wouldn’t mean much if Jesus had spent his ministry holding back his words and actions for fear of seeming too bold.
It is not a sin to believe that you can make a good difference in the world. You’re created in God’s image. You’re a part of Christ’s body. You are one within whom the Spirit can move. That’s a big deal. Humility is about holding these truths in tension (or in harmony?) with the belief that every other person God created also has such worth. And yet our lives are about something larger than any of us. We find our greatness, our fullness, in living for God, in serving God’s creation.
How do you now see your role in the Messiah’s new order?
Be honest. Be humble. How are you one with others in this living?
God of grace, forgive me for all the ways my pride distances me from you. Forgive me for the times when I have confused shame and passivity for humility. Forgive me for my failure to recognize your imprint upon my brother or sister. Transform my heart and mind so that I can dedicate my life to your service. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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