27th. January. 2022. Daily Devotion.
Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” Matthew 20:26-27
The roofs of thousands of Florida homes were badly damaged by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Soon afterward, a humorous story circulated about three mothers in a restaurant. One spoke proudly of her lawyer son, and another of her son, a doctor. But when the third mother said that her son was a roofer, all the customers stormed her table to ask for his phone number.
James and John did not yet understand what Jesus was all about—but they knew it was BIG, and they wanted a special place in whatever it was. So their mother made this special request: “Make my boys your number one and your number two!”
The ten other disciples were furious, because they too wanted to be first in Jesus’ order of power and privilege.
Jesus called a meeting to clarify his guiding principles. In government and most other systems, the highest positions have the greatest authority—but “not so with you,” Jesus said. To follow Jesus is to love your neighbours for his sake. A top follower of Jesus is a top servant.
This is the lesson Jesus reiterated when he washed his disciples’ feet, the night before he went to the cross: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15). A. Mulder.
Prayer
Lord and Teacher, just as you came into the world to love us and serve for our good, help us to love our neighbours and serve for their good, for your sake. Amen.
Prayer for Purpose
O Creator and Loving Master may I rise each morning with purpose.
May I sow the fields of my world with the seeds of love. May I sing the song of the reconciliation. May I pluck the harp strings of compassion. May I Follow the Shepherd who leads me to justice. May I walk in righteousness and kindness. May I blanket my world with peace. Amen.
Meditation
“We weaken our Christian life if we do not take time to believe that this Divine Love really does delight in us. Love will awaken your faith and strengthen it. Occupy yourself with that love; worship it; wait for it. You may be sure it will reach out to you, and by its power take you up into itself as your home.” ~ Andrew Murray
Closing Prayer
And finally, grant me O Lord, I pray, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in me and shed its light on those around me, and that by its brightness I may share a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
