Whom Do We Serve?

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 12:31 pm Post subject: Whom Do We Serve?

Whom Do We Serve?

Scripture:

And Josue gathered together all the tribes of Israel in Sichem, and called for the ancients, and the princes, and the judges, and the masters: and they stood in the sight of the Lord: And he spoke thus to the people: But if it seem evil to you to serve the Lord, you have your choice: choose this day that which pleases you, whom you would rather serve, whether the gods which your fathers served in Mesopotamia, or the gods of the Amorrhites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

And the people answered, and said: God forbid we should leave the Lord, and serve strange gods. The Lord our God he brought us and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage: and did very great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way by which we journeyed, and among all the people through whom we passed. Therefore we will serve the Lord, for he is our God. (Joshua 24:1-2A, 15-17, 18B)

Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ. Let women be subject to their husbands, as to the Lord: Because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. He is the savior of his body. Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be to their husbands in all things. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church, and delivered himself up for it: That he might sanctify it, cleansing it by the laver of water in the word of life: That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish. So also ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife, loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, as also Christ does the church: Because we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall be two in one flesh. This is a great sacrament; but I speak in Christ and in the church. (Ephesians 5:21-32)

These things he said, teaching in the synagogue, in Capharnaum. Many therefore of his disciples, hearing it, said: This saying is hard, and who can hear it? But Jesus, knowing in himself, that his disciples murmured at this, said to them: Does this scandalize you? If then you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickens: the flesh profits nothing. The words that I have spoken to you, are spirit and life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe, and who he was, that would betray him.

And he said: Therefore did I say to you, that no man can come to me, unless it be given him by my Father. After this many of his disciples went back; and walked no more with him. Then Jesus said to the twelve: Will you also go away? And Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (John 6:60-69)

Reflection:

Some are able to see the ways God works within their lives while others are blind to His every deed. As we read the Bible, history unfolds for us in minutes, but the people of the time experienced the events over days, months, years and generations. As time passes, memories fade and those who witnessed pass on. Through the eyes of the generations, the works of God are experienced, discussed and shared; but many discard what they do not understand. Those who remember His works, bow down and follow Him. Those who do not comprehend, follow other paths.

As time passes, our children are at risk of being blinded by the world so they do not see the works of the Lord. Unless we help them see and understand, they are vulnerable to temptations to seek their own way. Unless we help them see the works of God, they are tempted to explain, by what they see of the world, that which they do not comprehend.

While we may be able to expose them to scripture and speak to them of the past, the most important means we have to help them understand God is to help them establish a relationship with Him. As we teach them to pray, we must also teach them to listen and watch. As we teach them of the world, we must also teach them to see the hand of God as He moves within their lives. If we help them to see, they too will follow the Lord, live by His Word and find the path to His kingdom.

If we comprehend the teaching of Jesus, we understand the strength which love brings to a relationship. Because of the love which God has for us, He sent to us His only begotten Son for our salvation. Through the life of Jesus and the sacrifice He made for us, we see the greatest example of love.

It is by this example which Paul calls husbands and wives to live. Within the sacrament of marriage, a man and woman are called to love one another. The blessing of love is found through a relationship of selflessness. It is for this reason Paul advised wives to be submissive to their husbands, subordinating their desires to their spouse. Paul also called for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church. If we look at the example of Jesus, He did not come to the world to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45). He gave His life so that we might live. If a husband is to love his wife as Christ loves us, then, the husband must care for his wife selflessly. To fulfill what Paul advised to husbands and wives, they must both subordinate their personal desires in favor of caring for one another.

If we are to understand the full meaning of love, we must look to that which Jesus did for us. Many did not understand as He told the people that they must consume His flesh and drink His blood to receive eternal life. They did not comprehend His selflessness and His love for all the children of God, for they saw as the world sees, not as God sees. They did not comprehend that it would be His selflessness and His sacrifice upon the cross that would atone for their sins.

If we believe in Him and His Word, then, we shall seek to imitate His example. We do so through what we do for the blessings of another. Through the selflessness of love, every life will receive the blessings He intends for the children of His creation.

The love between husband and wife, with God as their guide, yields the strength of the family. As they selflessly live in devotion of God and one another, they bring blessings to each other and those who surround them. As they raise and encourage their children with the understanding of God and His love, the foundation of generations are set. As families share blessings, they influence the communities in which they live. As communities share blessings, they influence the nation in which they live. As nations are influenced, so is the world. Through the blessings of love, His will is done.

Through the family, God set the foundation of civilization. The direction of the family, He placed in the hands of husband and wife. If they keep God within their midst, His blessings will flow to the generations. It should be no surprise, then, that the evil one attacks the family as he does as a means to separate the people of God from their Creator. The choice as to the outcome of this battle, God leaves to us.

The question for each day, then, is what choices shall we make? Will we choose as the disciples who could not comprehend the blessings Jesus offered through His body and blood, or will we choose as the people who saw the many ways God worked within their lives? Will we choose to live by the blessings of love, or will we turn to selfish desires? If we understand the blessings of His love, our choice should not be difficult.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier