Emphasis Preaching Journal

"Two cheers for the apostles!" That is about all they get --a qualified endorsement, qualified honor. While they were learning of the Lord and would later serve him well and to the death, their early motivation was less than inspiring. When Jesus sought to teach them the most stirring things of his heart and direct them toward his sacrifice of love, they still debated who would be next in line to his throne. A lesson in humility was most needed.

Christian service is much like the fishing described by an old and successful angler, who gave these three rules of fishing: "Stay out of sight," "Stay farther out of sight," "Stay farther and farther out of sight." The conductor of a symphony orchestra was asked what instrument he thought was the most difficult to play. After some ref lection he replied simply, "Second fiddle."

What can we say for these quarrelsome disciples, and for ourselves when we are in the same situation? Neil Eskelin brings to the fore an old Hindu proverb, "There is nothing noble in being superior to some other man. The true nobility is being superior to your previous self." Though obviously intended to convey reincarnation, the truth applies in our own lives. The attitudes we have exhibited before, the priorities and the values that have undermined us spiritually, can be subjected or replaced by humble service that truly reflects Christ.