The First and the Last

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 8:28 am Post subject: The First and the Last

The First and the Last

Scripture:

And the Lord was pleased to bruise him in infirmity: if he shall lay down his life for sin, he shall see a long lived seed, and the will of the Lord shall be prosperous in his hand. Because his soul has labored, he shall see and be filled: by his knowledge shall this my just servant justify many, and he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:10-11)

Having therefore a great high priest that has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God: let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who cannot have compassion on our infirmities: but one tempted in all things like as we are, but without sin. Let us go therefore with confidence to the throne of grace: that we may obtain mercy and find grace in seasonable aid. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come to him, saying: Master, we desire that whatsoever we shall ask, you would do it for us. But he said to them: What would you that I should do for you? And they said: Grant to us that we may sit, one on your right hand and the other on your left hand, in your glory. And Jesus said to them: You know not what you ask. Can you drink of the chalice that I drink of or be baptized with the baptism wherewith I am baptized? But they said to him: We can. And Jesus said to them: You shall indeed drink of the chalice that I drink of; and with the baptism wherewith I am baptized you shall be baptized. But to sit on my right hand or on my left is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared.

And the ten, hearing it, began to be much displeased at James and John. But Jesus calling them, said to them: You know that they who seem to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them: and their princes have power over them. But it is not so among you: but whosoever will be greater shall be your minister. And whosoever will be first among you shall be the servant of all. For the Son of man also is not come to be ministered unto: but to minister and to give his life a redemption for many. (Mark 10:35-45)

Reflection:

And so it is with some that they seek great esteem and pleasure in fame. With others, they seek to be first in celebrity or with power over others. Some seek position through wealth, while others seek position as leaders of community, cities, states or nations. Positions of esteem are perceived through physical prowess, knowledge or skills. The race is run to determine who is the fastest, but with God, it is not who is first in any of these things for reasons of ambition, but who seeks to sacrifice of themselves for the love and care of others.

And so it was that He would send the One who would suffer for all. He came as the King of all, but did not seek to be served, rather, He sought to minister to the children of His creation. Their sins would become His burden and His sacrifice would become their salvation.

He came to walk among them, to be with them, to live as an example as one of them. He rejoiced in receiving the innocence of children and approached the infirm with compassion and healing. He instructed them in the greatness of the Father and the mercy of His love. He revealed to them that to which they were called to by God, how they should pray and how they should serve one another.

He rose to sit at the right hand of the Father. For those who believe in Him, He is their advocate in heaven. He is the One who faced the temptations of the evil one, yet responded without sin. He is the One who looked upon those who turned upon Him, yet called for the Father to forgive them. As He spoke for them, He spoke for the generations.

Even those who followed closest to Him struggled to understand to what they were called. Positions of esteem are happen stance, but the work of love is what He gives and what He asks. Ambition for self is the ministry of self, but the ambition for the care of others is the ministry of the Lord. Blessed are those who understand the ways of the Lord and offer of themselves for Him and the children of His creation.

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