Matthew 20:26, 27 "But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. "
The mother of James and John asks Jesus if her sons can sit beside him on the throne in the coming kingdom. Rightly, Jesus admonishes them for this request and explains that in his kingdom, whoever wants to be first must be last. The kingdom of God is all about putting others ahead of ourselves. It is a kingdom marked by humility.
I recently heard "humility is not thinking less of yourself, but rather thinking of yourself less." I think about myself too much! I need to think about myself less today and think more about others. According to Jesus, I need to be last in line. I need to choose to be the quietest voice in the crowd. I need to be the last one with my hand out expecting something. I need to be last. That's a tall order! But that's the kingdom of God. How can I care for, think of, and serve others more than myself today? How can I be last today?
Dear Jesus, help me have your eyes and your ears to care for others more than I care for myself today. Amen.
