3:214 – A Great and Humble Servant

#faithbites #faithjourney humble

Setting

Today, we laid grandpa to rest. During his eulogy, our great aunt, based on all the comments she received and input, spoke these words about Grandpa: He was a Great and Humble Servant. We talked yesterday that none of us are throwaway characters and greatness is measured very differently. As she said, there won’t be newscasts, media headlines, or anything about Grandpa’s passing. But he will be remembered for the lives he touched, for his service to his community, his country, and his church.

We often try to be great based on the world. But what the world shows as great, isn’t what Jesus said was great. What the world says is being humble is not what Jesus says is humble.

We could learn a lot from the way Grandpa Bob lived his life. It’s never too late to take on the mantle of Grandpa Bob by loving your family, loving your neighbors, loving your church, loving your community, and loving your God. None of these things cost money. None of these things are out of your reach. Being a humble person can be great if you follow the instructions of Jesus.

Scripture

• James 4:10 – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
• Micah 6:6-8 – With what shall I come before the Lord
  and bow down before the exalted God?
  Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
  with calves a year old?
  Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
  with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
  Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
  the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
  He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
  And what does the Lord require of you?
  To act justly and to love mercy
  and to walk humbly with your God.
• Mark 10:42-45 – And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Reflection

Our verses use the following terms: be humble, act justly, be a servant, be slave for all, serve and not be served, give your life as a ransom for many.  This is what Grandpa Bob did. He didn’t have fame, fortune, or a title (he was Mayor of Golden, but we won’t go there 🙂 ). Micah tells us that God doesn’t need burnt offerings or calves, or oil. He just wants us to love, act justly, and walk humbly. That’s it.

When we think about attaining wealth, property, titles, and stuff, we are thinking about elevating ourselves and not being humble. When our drive is for us and it overtakes what God wants, we are no longer humble and no longer great.

Grandpa Bob was none of these things. He was humble giving unselfishly of his time, treasure, and talent.

As we all continue our #faithjourney, let’s remember these lessons from Grandpa Bob. Let’s all be like Grandpa and look at how we can love our neighbors, help them, and walk humbly in God’s sight.

Challenge

How can you be like Grandpa Bob? What actions or changes in behaviors can you take to be humble and “great”? Here’s an easy one: Ask someone how they are doing and truly listen. Be intent on listening and follow up with them. This doesn’t cost anything. Another idea: volunteer at your house of worship or your community. Not to accomplish something or get an award or notoriety, but just to give of yourself. These are ways to honor Grandpa Bob and follow in the path of Jesus.

Prayer

Father God, today we entrusted Grandpa Bob to your loving arms. Welcome him. We thank you for the example that he set for us. He followed Jesus his whole life and was humble. Let us be like him and be humble. Let us put aside our selfish aims and walk humbly in your sight. The world wants us to look out for #1 but remind us that number one isn’t us, but it is you. And you want us to look out for your people.

Lord, be with all of us who are grieving for Grandpa Bob. Help us to remember his example, rejoice in his memories, and use his passing a chance for us to be better humble and loyal servants. We pray this in your name, Amen.