Luke 22:24-27
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 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. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
It was in 2008 that the scripture you just read completely rocked my world. The same chapter I had read literally dozens of times throughout my life was finally becoming part of my life. There was a unique and interesting perspective I gained that day as to what Jesus was communicating to his disciples. Up until that day I had an understanding of the words he spoke, but the understanding was only with my head. The reason that it became a game changer was because I began to understand the words with my heart. Often times we'll focus on one OR the other. Examples of this would be head knowledge OR heart knowledge, or the idea of meeting physical needs OR spiritual needs. We separate the two out of ignorance, convenience, or just lack of revelation. Two things happened that day when reading through the scripture. The knowledge in my head collided with my heart, and the idea of meeting physical needs became intertwined with the pursuit of meeting spiritual needs as well. To illustrate what changed for me that day I'll share my before and after perspective.
Perspective Before: I used to go pass out sandwich sacks once a month to the homeless in San Diego, CA. The whole ordeal took about 2 hours. This stemmed from knowing I needed to do something good for someone else. Every day while on my way to work, I would drive past people without homes who looked hungry and thought "wow, they could use my help". So, I would commute down and pass out lunch sacks once a month. They needed my help and obviously I didn't need theirs. Many times I was disappointed when those I was helping would complain or not even be polite enough to tell me how awesome I was. I thought, "come on now! I'm taking time out of my day to help you...You're Welcome". I would drive away discouraged and relieved that I didn't have to go back for another month. But I was doing something good and felt good about the fact I was helping someone in need.
Perspective After: A couple years later I found myself living on California Avenue in Oklahoma City, OK. The apartment that I chose to live in was located directly across the street from the City Rescue Mission, and I had many neighbors that were without a home. When I read this verse my eyes were opened and my heart was broken. In verse 25 Jesus talks about the idea of lording over someone and how this was the perception in culture of someone who was great. Then in verse 26 he clearly says "but you are not to be like that". Well, that was exactly who I was. I was coming in a place of authority. These people needed my physical provision, and my position in the world was greater than theirs. Jesus then says, "I am among you as one who serves" and literally turns the table on who is great by sitting us down at his table. Essentially I was sitting at the table, in a place of authority, serving myself. I was living out his Kingdom only when it was convenient for me and only if I could fit it in to my schedule. And the thought of pursuing a relationship to meet spiritual needs never crossed my mind. I wasn't willing to sacrifice my time or comfort. My monthly mission was measurable in the form of 2 hours and 10 lunch sacks, and that was all I cared about.
Loving our neighbor involves loving with both our head and our heart. It also involves recognizing both physical and spiritual needs, and being willing to give and receive. Relational ministry requires consistency, sacrifice, and more than a convenient block of time. Loving Jesus by loving our neighbors requires our life.
Luke 9:23
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
--Joe Quinlin, Community Coordinator for Spero Resource Center
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