The following is a devotional from One Day One Step.
Luke 22:24-26
Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that.
Instead the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who
rules like the one who serves.”
How easily pride can come into our spiritual work!
Here we find the Disciples gathered for what would be the “Last Supper” and – despite watching Jesus humble himself by washing their feet – their minds are on who was the greatest. To be fair, they had been a part of some incredible spiritual work – tens of thousands had been healed, fed, and given new life! In their celebration of what they had accomplished, they missed the point. Here was their Master, Teacher, Rabbi, deserving of all praise and glory yet choosing to strip down and do the job of a servant, while talking of giving up his very life for the sake of others. They would have much rather him sit on a throne of victory – partly because they would sit at his side – than a stoop of servitude.
Accomplishment and due credit are the way of the world, where if you do great things you should be rewarded; Jesus says, “you are not to be like that.” Instead of traditional greatness, they – who had already given years of their life – were being called to lower themselves to servant-children. Jesus had demonstrated this all along; “I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:27) If we are not careful to remember right-positioning in the Kingdom, pride can come into our spiritual work without us realizing it, and our minds and hearts can turn the intruder into a protected guest. Humility takes the focus off us and places it on the One who truly deserves it.
- Ask the Spirit to reveal any ways pride has intruded into your works for the Kingdom.
- Ask the Spirit to point out opportunities to be like “the youngest” and “the one who serves.”
