With so many people in our house, we have to label cups with each person’s name, otherwise we could dirty an untold number of cups every single day. Recently, my youngest daughter was lining everyone’s cup up in order on the counter. She was very proud of herself and wanted to read all the names to me. I assumed she would start oldest to youngest, but I was mistaken. She started with the most important person, herself, and went youngest to oldest!
Now being the youngest of such a large family, she is naturally a little spoiled. By the time she came around she was surrounded by doting siblings. Unfortunately, this has led to a few issues that we need to work on with her, such as not always putting herself first. However, the more I though about it, the more I realized that this is something most of us do whether we are the youngest in our family or not.
There are not too many humans who would naturally put others before themselves without first being taught the concept. Our natural tendency is to look out for number one. Even when we know better, it is sometimes hard to put others first, especially when that other is someone we don’t even particularly like.
Our culture screams at us to focus on ourselves. We are told we are worth it and we deserve it. We chase “likes” and followers. We post selfies. This is why Jesus’ teaching on the subject can seem so startling. Not only is His teaching contrary to our nature, it is counter-cultural as well.
It turns out that this is nothing new, the culture of Jesus’ day had the same problems going on, just with less technology. In a conversation with His disciples Jesus revealed how they needed to live, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45)
This may be a difficult teaching for some of us, my daughter included. However, when we follow Jesus’ advice there are unexpected results. We actually can find joy in serving others and more peace. Another time when He was teaching He also said, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Talk about a surprising, counter-cultural result!
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