Please read Luke 20.41-21.4 Today's inspiration~ "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13.15

Good Morning.

Today, Jesus turns the table on those plotting against Him, and He becomes the question-er in these last several verses of Luke 20: "How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." David calls Him 'Lord.' How then can He be his son?" This is a difficult teaching--who can understand it? Well, it comes from Psalm 110 where David says, that God the Father says to God the Son, sit at my right hand. . . When Jesus Christ was born, He came through the lineage of David making Him a Son of David. . . but when He dies and is resurrected, and resumes His place at the right hand of God the Father, He is the Lord of David. Born - a son of David; Crucified, Risen - David's Messiah. And as for as 'until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet,' that imagery comes from the practice in the ancient Near East when the conquered leaders would be forced to kneel on the platform before the victorious king, and in effect be made his footstool. Great picture for the position of Jesus' enemies when He has defeated death and taken back His rightful place at the right hand of our Father.

Jesus then warns the people to be discerning about the apparent 'holiness' of the teachers of the law, who parade around in their pompous long robes, assuming the best seats in the house, praying pious prayers aloud--behind the scenes, they are stealing from widows, who they were supposed to be protecting. 'Don't let appearances fool you,' Jesus is telling them.

And then right on cue, when He looks up, He sees folks giving in the temple--the rich out of their wealth, but a widow out of her poverty. It was her heart to serve God in giving sacrificially. wow! I've read about her so many times before, but somehow it strikes me tonight--being willing to actually sacrifice financially to give to the things of God, or to support His work.

Bump these three scenes against one another, and a powerful picture emerges--that of the Servant Leader. Jesus was the quintessential Servant Leader. He gave up His place next to the Father in Heaven to come to earth--humbly serving and then dying for us. As we continue toward Luke's conclusion, we will see the disciples sit down to Passover dinner with Jesus--the night He would be betrayed--but John records that before they ate, our Lord "got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." John 13.4-5 Remember, the men had come from walking the dusty roads, wearing leather sandals. . . their feet and ankles were dirty! When is the last time you washed anyone's feet--well, maybe your toddler's, but those are cute. Sorry, but men's feet are not so cute, especially when they are filthy. Jesus took the job a servant would do--He went around the table, and washed and dried each of their feet. Not quite the picture of the elegantly clad Jewish leaders, is it? I wonder what they talked about while He was bent over their feet--you know it took Jesus a while to make it all the way around, taking care of the men. Jesus showed us that true leadership operates best when it is accompanied by a willingness to serve. How are you when it comes to serving others? 'Your mate? Do you grumble inside, or do you just not do it? 'Your employees, at times? 'Your children? 'Strangers? Who would do that?! 'Unlovely people?

At just about the same place in Matthew's narrative, Jesus tells about separating the sheep from the goats--chapter 25. "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me. Then the righteous will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in. . .?' I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me." Whatever you do to serve others, your Father in Heaven sees, and He will reward.

I suppose that servant leadership seems like an oxymoron; and it certainly flies in the face of popular culture, doesn't it? It doesn't talk too much about one's rights or what is 'beneath' her. . . but does what it takes to get the job done, the mission accomplished, the young person strong enough to stand, or the weaker brother made strong. . . while not seeking all the glory or credit. In fact, one of the bonuses in developing a heart willing to serve others is that it means you don't always have to be right or the best, but are blessed by the notion of helping someone else shine. Yeah, that's good.

Think on these things,

Christine