2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Leviticus 22:17-23:44 ESV, Mark 9:30-10:12 ESV, Psalm 44:1-8 ESV, Proverbs 10:19 ESV
Daily Verse: “And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35 ESV)
EREMOS (2048): “Farthest, final, last, utmost, extreme, is used of place, of rank, of time, relating either to persons or things.”[i]
Go last.
The disciples wanted to know who among them Jesus considers greatest; Jesus’s response, the one who goes last. We must consider ourselves servants to all. Jesus set the example. His death on the cross served everyone, once and for all.
For some, serving others comes naturally. When I think of my friends with kids and grandkids, they quickly put their children’s needs before their own. Never having children, I’ve learned through marriage to put my husband’s needs before mine. Each person we meet gives us the opportunity to serve.
Serve everyone.
Whoever God places before you today, think of them as an opportunity to serve. Find ways to help those in your life. Bring coffee for a workmate. Text encouragement to a friend facing a difficult situation. Put an encouraging note in your spouse’s and kid’s lunches. Find ways to go last.
Riding bike over the weekend, I passed a family of five. Dad led the way; the oldest to youngest kids followed; mom brought up the rear. The family traveled together in peace, a beautiful picture of life. Someone always goes last, but it doesn’t mean it’s the worst place. Only from her rearview could mom see all the people she loved at once.
Listen to the Savior. Become comfortable in last place, serve others for the King. As you do, you’ll find yourself in the best seat, watching those you love flourish.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 103) Thomas Nelson
