11.17- The Last Will Be First

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 11.17-

The Last Will Be First Mark 9:33-37 James Banks

Recently I was among the last in line to board a large passenger jet with unassigned seating. I located a middle seat beside the wing, but the only spot for my bag was the overhead compartment by the very last row. This meant I had to wait for everyone to leave before I could go back and retrieve it.

I laughed as I settled into my seat and a thought occurred to me that seemed to be from the Lord: “It really won’t hurt you to wait. It will actually do you good.” So I resolved to enjoy the extra time, helping other passengers lower their luggage after we landed and assisting a flight attendant with cleaning. By the time I was able to retrieve my bag, I laughed again when someone thought I worked for the airline.

That day’s experience made me ponder Jesus’ words to His disciples: “Anyone who wants to be first, must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

I waited because I had to, but in Jesus’ “upside down” kingdom, there’s a place of honor for those who voluntarily set themselves aside to attend to other’s needs.

Jesus came into our hurried, me-first world not “to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). We serve Him best by serving others. The lower we bend, the closer we are to Him.

 

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