Meditation for June 27, 2007

From The Rev. Peter A. Munson

Luke 22:24-30

 

"A dispute also arose among the disciples, which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And Jesus said to them, 'The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For which is greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have continued with me in my trials; and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in the kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

 

The Test of Greatness: Servants in the Kingdom of God

 

As you listen to those around you, how do you hear the words "serve" or "service" (or similar words) used? Here are some of the things I hear:

 

"She is serving our country right now in Iraq." Or, "He served in the Army during World War II."  (military reference)

 

"She is serving in the Peace Corps in Paraguay." (development work in another country)

 

"The service at that restaurant was terrible!  It took forever to get our food, the food was cold, the server was inattentive." (customer service)

 

"The service was wonderful/inspiring/too long (take your pick) today!" (worship reference)

 

"She/he is in a helping (service) profession." (Usually a reference to nursing, teaching, social work, or a similar type of profession)

 

"He's a civil servant." (government employee)

 

"Go in peace to love and serve the Lord." (one of the dismissals at the end of the Eucharist)

 

This little story about the disciples arguing about who is the greatest reminds us that ALL of us who follow Christ are called to serve.  "But I am among you as one who serves." (Luke 22:27b)  Or, if you prefer a similar quote from Mark, "... but whoever wishes to  become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.  For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:43-45)

 

Many years ago, I read a book of sermons by The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Several of them have stuck with me. One of them was about Jesus' teaching on serving. And the gist of Dr. King's sermon was this: Anyone can be great, because anyone can serve!

 

According to Jesus, you are not great just because you are a famous movie star or athlete or even because you hold a high political office. Greatness in the kingdom of God is defined by those who serve others. By this definition, your server who waited on you the last time you went out for dinner (depending on how she or he did that work) was great. The people who pick up your trash are great. Your kindergarten teacher was great. Your secretary is great. Your parents, even if they never had any kind of notoriety, may very well be some of the greatest people you have known. Whoever serves others - willingly, faithfully, and most of all... with a spirit of love - is great in God's eyes.

 

All of this begs a certain set of questions. 

    How are YOU great? 

    In other words, how do you serve? 

    Whom do you serve, in love?

    How do you serve your family or friends?

    How do you serve at work?

    How do you serve at church?

    How do you serve in your community?

    How do you usher in the kingdom of God - by serving?

 

That brings to mind another way that I hear the words "serve" or "service" being used. "Thank you for your service."

 

As you reflect on the ways that you serve God and serve others... in other words, as you reflect on the ways that you are truly great, I say to you:  Thank you for your service!  And, much more importantly, God thanks you for your service!

 

"And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.  To Him, to You, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever.  Amen." (Post-Communion Prayer, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 366)

 

And what does Jesus say about a reward for our service? Those who continue to follow Him, those who serve others in His name, no matter what trials or challenges they might encounter, will eat and drink with Jesus - at His table - in the kingdom of God. The servants - the ones who have waited on others - will one day be waited on by God. They will be at the head table with Jesus, because they are judged to be great - not by society or by the media, but by God. Let us aspire to greatness. Let us keep serving others, in the same way that Jesus did.  Let us keep serving - in love.