Devotion for the Second Friday In Advent, December 11

“The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors.  But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves…”

Luke 22:25-26

 In these words, spoken to his disciples at the Last Supper, Jesus challenges those who followed him to live very differently than the rest of society.  In fact, his command is to not seek glory and authority over one another, but rather to seek to serve one another.  In other Gospels, Jesus doesn’t just call them to serve, he models servant leadership as he washes their feet.  So, this is His call on us too.  A call to ignore the ways in which the world classifies who is best, who is successful, who is considered a leader.  We know that this lesson has not taken hold in our communities and even in our churches.  Yet it is an arrangement of community that we can strive for.  What would it take for us to look for ways in which we can serve one another rather than lord it over each other? 

Maybe it would just take us really taking in the wonderful ways that God has shown God’s love for us.  Maybe if we really believed that Jesus got down on his hands and knees and washed his followers’ feet, we would have no option but to be those who seek ways to serve one another.  Maybe if, when we celebrate Christmas, we would really see that God came into our world as a weak baby and allow ourselves to feel the amazing love that took, we would have to find ways to reflect back that love in our care for each other.

-Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, you taught your disciples to seek humility rather than power, to live lives of service rather than chasing glory.  You came into this world as a defenseless baby, to bring us back to the God who created and loves us.  Help us to seek ways to serve one another and you and live as those freed from the pursuit status and power.  Bless us as we try to be the disciples you have called us to be, loving and caring for one another. Amen.