Friday 25 Jan 2013

Friday Reading: Matthew 20:20-28

Key Verse: Matthew 20:23
23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Devotion:
The disciples were people just as we are and they had desires just as we do; pride is one of those things that we have but should not strive after because it is most likely to land us into trouble rather than to lift us up in any manner. We are warned that pride will lead us into a pit rather than onto a platform but somehow we think we can get away with it. When Jesus was asked to have these two men by His side He answered their request by showing it for what it was and what it should not be.

The disciples were beginning to understand what baptism was about but to know that it was just an outward sign of the inner grace that is given us through what Christ has done for us was not yet fully understood. So they were answering correctly in that part, but asking to be on Christ’s right hand or His left hand was not for Christ to give but for God the Father to give. The disciples were being shown that even though they were in a very special position of disciples with Christ at that time, they should not over step their mark.

If we want to be able to serve God fully then we should not lift ourselves to be equal to Him in order to serve Him but should rather show ourselves as willing servants so that we can serve Him. If we want to be able to work for someone then we would not lift ourselves up to be the boss of the company so that we can work within it – so why should we think anything like that when seeking to work for God?

Being careful of our position is important not just because of how others see us but also because of how our hearts will follow desires or pride instead of following God’s will. If we lift ourselves up we are not seeking to work for God in our hearts but are lifting ourselves up to be God in our hearts. God wants us to show ourselves as willing servants first of all. When we are willing to do that He is willing to call us sons and daughters of His because He then knows that our hearts are in the right place.

Points to Ponder:
How would you go about seeking employment?

How would you go about seeking to work for God?