‘If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.’” (Mark 9:37).
Embarrassment is a strange emotion.
Embarrassment can stop people doing important things – things that they should be doing – because instead of doing those things, they feel compelled to hide away in shame or some other misunderstood emotion…
Embarrassment can serve a positive purpose as well. It is embarrassment that could keep my behaviour in check when I am among others. I may be too embarrassed to shout and scream if I am angry if other people are around me. If instead, I were alone, I might not be embarrassed at all. In that case, I would instead be able to control myself – perhaps not because I wanted to control myself – but because I would be embarrassed to show the bad behaviour I am capable of to others…
The disciples too, were embarrassed. They were happy to talk to each other in pride about all the things that they wanted and all the power and status that they were after through their connection to God, but when God Himself spoke to them, that pride was embarrassing and they were ashamed to speak…
“They came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you discussing on the way?’ But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, ‘If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.’” (Mark 9:30-37).
And I have been reflecting on that instruction from God – to be the servant of all.
You see, that is embarrassing in this world that we live in. Nobody wants to be the least. We work hard and earn money so that we can provide for ourselves and our families. We do this so that we will have enough money and wealth to be able to support ourselves without relying on others. And this means that we are not really servants of all.
Now, I am not suggesting that everyone quits their job and lives in poverty with their family so that we can call ourselves servants. Instead, what I am suggesting is that we keep in mind the attitude of service. You see, even the wealthiest and most successful of people can serve others. Through our roles in our own families where we can serve those around us, we have the opportunity to be the servant of all. Among our friends, and even within the wider community (among those we may not even like) we have the opportunity to serve – even with our kindness and charity in the way that we speak to people who we are not good friends of and who we do not even love…
And I was thinking about that today, because I would not want to be embarrassed before my Father. For I think that He deserves a little bit more from me than that!
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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