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Obedient Servants
August 2, 2024
Hey Clawson Family!
Song:
Scripture:
Matthew 20:26-28 New Living Translation
26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Luke 22:25-27 New Living Translation
25 Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. 27 Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.
Luke 14:11 New Living Translation
11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Devotional:
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all familiar with the term “essential worker.” Who will be deemed the most essential worker in the Kingdom? Who will hold the positions of highest rank, authority, and honor as we work to serve our King and his Kingdom?
This week, we learned that those who obey the Lord’s commands and those who are servants are the greatest.
In Matthew 20, James and John approach Jesus, requesting the highest positions in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus doesn’t rebuke them for their desire to be great. But he does redefine what greatness is by saying, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26-28).
Scripture tells us that we will all work in the Kingdom of Heaven, but not all share equal jobs, rank, and authority. Who will be the greatest? Obedient servants. Let that truth motivate us all to be of greater service through our work today.
If you’re an entrepreneur, serving might mean being more ambitious about growth, not to serve your bank account but to provide a living wage for more employees and serve more customers.
If you’re a manager, serving might look like delegating more effectively, allowing others with different skill sets to thrive.
If you’re an employee, freelancer, or “gig worker,” serve with the heart of Christ, eager to do good work for others.
The world’s definition of “essential worker” will continue to change. But if we are obedient to God’s Word and focused on serving others through the ministry of excellence, we will be blessed with positions of greatness that will never fade away.
Journal
In your journal, write down how you might want to realign your prayers, resources, and advocacy toward those considered the least.
Training:
Father,
Every person matters to You. You never play favorites, and Your heart breaks for each person who is suffering, alone, and separated from You. Help me to have that same heart and resist the temptation to be what the world defines as great instead of yours. Help me to have Your BIG heart for the least!
In Jesus name, Amen
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