Therefore,whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, forthis is the Law and the Prophets.
(Matthew 7:12 NKJV)
In forming the group that should have led the first Christian community, Jesus invites them to take into account how the kings of the nations dominate and dominate them, and these are seen, in some ways, as benefactors only because they show interest in certain issues, masking hegemony (Luke 22:5). Instead, they must not seek approval or exercise authority over others, as Jesus taught to serve. He who thinks he is the greatest is called to serve and to put himself in the guise of subordinates: “But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.” (Luke 22:26). Everything is reversed. With Christ things work the other way around. In the world there are forms of behavioral ethics in every area of society, and for the believer the behavior is unique: to do to others what you want for yourself.
If this principle were applied everywhere, we would not need laws, codes and authorities delegated to order and legality. In the comparison between the one who serves and the one who is served at the table, the second appears to be the greatest. Jesus explained these things to his disciples as they sat eating supper. Then he got up, took a basin and a towel and started washing everyone's feet. Peter resisted, having fully understood who it was who was making that gesture. According to Luke, after Jesus explains to the disciples to look to him as an example of service, he praises them for having remained with him until then: they were a team to rely on. It is a great comfort in suffering to know that there is someone you can count on. Our certainty is knowing that God is always there and never leaves us. That same group received the promise of the kingdom: as God had given it to Christ, so He gave it to them. He is an instrument that receives and transmits. Those who think they are doing something for God by holding back selfishly serve only themselves. Instead, Jesus took his glory and his life and laid them down for us.
The apostle Paul reminds us that we are seated in heavenly places on the throne of Christ, not because we deserve it. He has decided to give us his kingdom because we are his flock, one day we will sit at his table and with him we will judge the tribes of Israel. Ours will not be a true judgment, but a testimony of what the Lord has done for us through his immense grace. When we were lost, Jesus humbled himself by becoming a servant and even giving his life for us. The apostle Peter reminds us that we were bought with the most precious blood of the Lamb (1 Peter 1:19). In those days a person paid a sum of money to take possession of the slave's life. We were not bought with gold or silver, but with his precious blood, and consequently we became his and now we belong to him. He left the glory of the Father, he chose to be born in a stable, he lived among us to bring us salvation. We too, following his example, are called to serve others with love, to reach out to those in need. The one who serves extends his hand to give and not to take. Whoever does it to grab is not trustworthy and we must distance ourselves from him. We serve God and one day we will be in his presence to enjoy all that He has prepared for us.
Weekly Bible Reading
Plan # 35 August 25, Psalms 113-115; 1 Corinthians 6 August 24, Psalms 116-118; 1 Corinthians 7:1-19 August 25, Psalms 119:1-88; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40 August 26, Psalms 119:89-176; 1 Corinthians 8 August 27, Psalms 120-122; 1 Corinthians 9 August 28, Psalms 123-125; 1 Corinthians 10:1-18 August 29, Psalms 126-128; 1 Corinthians 10:19-33
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