April 18, 2012 First In Line

First in Line

Mark 9:33-35 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

DON’T YOU just hate it when your kids argue over who’s first? There’s such a “me” attitude in that argument, isn’t there? You wonder, “Why can’t they just let each other ‘go first’ without a hassle?”
Are you willing to let others “go first”? You want things when you want them, and if someone tells you, “Wait.” or “No, you must consider others’ needs, opinions or point-of-view also.” you get impatient, sometimes angry, and you say, “Me first!”
That’s your sinful pride pushing you to be first in line in your own mind. You just know that your desires and ways are more important than anyone else’s. After all, you have a right to be happy, to have all you want, to get what you long for, don’t you?
Not according to Jesus. Your first purpose in living a right life in the Kingdom of God is to serve. You are to serve to others’ needs with a humble and loving heart: (1 John 4:20(b) anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” John warns you that a loving attitude to everyone is essential for your right relationship with God. When you love, you eagerly serve. When you serve, you are pleasing God.

Pause and consider that pleasing God puts you “first” in line at the King’s throne.