Servant of All

servant-of-all-large-image-zoomLiving in the Spirit
November 1, 2015

Scripture Reading: Mark 12:38-44

As he taught, he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’ –Mark 12:38-40

There it is again, Jesus warning us about our need to be better than another. I cannot help but wonder if he mused at times, “How many times do I have to say this before it sinks in?” Two thousand years later the admonition is as relevant as it was in the first. Some group who does those sorts of things just announced that Vladimir Putin, the leader of Russian, was the most powerful person in the world right now followed by Angela Merkel, the leader of Germany, with President Obama coming in third. Some in the United States interpreted this as a sign of weakness on our part. How the group came to this judgment and what difference it makes, I do not know. I do know, the most influential man over the last 2000 years is the one who said we are to be servants of all. (Mark 9:35)

Jesus clearly saw the value in every one of God’s creatures being as fully the person God created them to be as every other one. This is the foundation of God’s kingdom. Actually the use of the word “kingdom” here is an oxymoron. God’s love is so expansive that God is willing to share the singular role of “king” with all of the “kingdom’s subjects” on the condition that all subjects emulate God’s love. That is the power of servanthood.

Prayer:
God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your power;
crown your ancient church’s story,
bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour*. Amen.

*First verse of the hymn God of Grace and God of Glory by Harry S. Fosdick see at http://www.hymnary.org/text/god_of_grace_and_god_of_glory

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, 
Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.