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Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

1 Samuel 29-31
Luke 22:24-38

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Luke 22:27 (CSB): “For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”

Reflecting on God’s Word

It is impossible to believe and behave in a way that pleases God without reading His Word. Why? Because so much of it is counterintuitive. So much of what we read in the Bible, particularly what Jesus says, is the direct opposite of what we would expect.

Luke 22:27 is a case in point. Imagine that someone puts a picture in front of you of someone who is sitting at a table and someone who is standing ready to serve them. If we were to look at that picture in a culture where there are servants or there is a caste system, the answer would be obvious. The person being served, who is sitting at the table, is more important.

In American culture, we have been wired to say that neither is more important. Yet, when a group is gathering for a meeting, look to see who grabs the head of the table. They are, not so subtly, making a power play. In our culture, the head of the table is for the leaders. So, whoever grabs that seat (whether they intend it or not) is expecting others to see them as a person of value.

Jesus acknowledged that the way the world sees things, the person at the table (or the head of the table) is more important. But the way Heaven sees it, the person who is serving, who is following Jesus’ example, is the greatest.

Luke 22:27 (CSB): “For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”

Do you want to be great in Heaven’s eyes? Then do what Jesus did with a heart that is aligned with your actions. Serve others. And if you are in an important position of influence/leadership and are at the head of the table, see that position as a way to serve and bless those whom you are leading. Let them be blessed because you are their leader.

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you gain a greater understanding of what the Lord says makes us great.
  • Ask God to help you serve, not merely in your actions but from your heart, to bless others.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into … , consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“What does it mean that the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45)?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com)