First vs Last

July 11, 2011 Monday Message:

Jesus: “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35b (TNIV)

2000 years ago, the Pharisees were first. They were trusted with God’s law and knew every word.

But Jesus discerned that while the Pharisees understood the words, they did not understand the intent, the spirit behind God’s laws. They had memorized each rule on an individual basis, but could not see the big picture, how they should truly love God and also love their neighbor. Trust Jesus to turn the system upside-down!

Jesus says each of us is to serve: serve God, serve the church, serve each other. The word in verse 35 is not doulos, which would mean a slave, one who has no choice in serving. Rather, the word used is diakonos, a deliberate, voluntary choice to freely attend to the needs of others.

According to Jesus, greatness in the kingdom is not determined by status, but by service. By turning the system upside-down, he was actually amending things, putting things back the way they belonged in the first place.

Remember to wash a few feet this week!

Norton Lawellin

I’ll be teaching “First, Last, and Everything In Between,” at New Hope Center Chapel this Friday, 7PM.