Serve

The wealthy young man we have been considering over the last few days wanted eternal life but wanted to live life his way until the time came for him to die. Today’s passage records his response to Jesus’ call for a fresh start.

Tough times call for strong leadership. Many can lead well when things are going well—when business is thriving, everything is good at home, and the church is growing. But when the bottom falls out of the economy, family dynamics are challenging, and the church is filled with worriers instead of worshipers, real leaders step forward to inspire and set the course.

This verse emphasizes that every believer has at least one gift. The gift is not given for us to let atrophy from lack of use. It has been given “to serve one another.” Neglecting to use your gift, for whatever reason, not only hurts you but the entire body of Christ. You have a gift! Time to use it!

The great prophets of old were used by God to serve us. Let that thought rattle around in your head for a while. Because of God’s grace and love for us, the “Spirit of Christ” (1 Peter 1:11) gave visions of the future regarding the coming of Jesus. The prophets on the Old Testament side of the cross did not fully grasp all they were writing about. But for believers, on the New Testament side of the cross, we have the gracious privilege of seeing words written seven hundred years before Jesus lived on this earth come to fulfillment. The prophets were “serving not themselves” but us.

Today’s passage, the Shema (from the Hebrew word “hear”), is a confession of faith. It is recited every day by pious Jews and every Sabbath in the synagogues. We have been using these powerful verses as a parenting evaluation.

Our Sin-Bearer paid the penalty for every morsel of juicy gossip, every white lie, every murder, and every despicable action of man. And when we trust in Jesus’ death as our own, he throws our sin into the depth of the sea. He puts it behind his back. The God with perfect memory chooses to remember our sin no more. Forgiveness is love in action! 

Jesus is the King installed on Zion. And one day every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that he is Lord…Ruler of all!! On that day, the world will finally experience peace. 

There will be times when he brings us to the point of choosing between him and something or someone else. There will be times when we must decide to get out of the way…or not.

This song celebrates the coming of Jesus, the promised Messiah.