Mark 9:25 (NIV)
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said,
“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
Before making this statement Jesus The Bible tells us
this in the preceding verses, “They came to Capernaum. When he was in the
house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they
had argued about who was the greatest.” Jesus knew their thoughts and explained
that those who want to be first in the lives of others must become last to
themselves. Mother Teresa is one such modern day servant who served many, often
putting her own needs last. I remembered her and so too many others will
remember her for her servant’s heart.
Awlwyn Balnave, of Calgary, Canada tells a personal
story. A few years ago, an old acquaintance of mine served as a police officer
in a northern native settlement in Canada. One day a rabid wolf wandered into
the aboriginal settlement. My friend eventually shot it, but not before it
attacked a young man and his grandmother in their home, making kindling out of
a chair the young man used to protect himself from his attacker.
There were about 150 sled dogs in the village—more than a
match for one sick wolf—yet the intruder was left alone to do her work. Why? My
friend explained that in order to prevent the dogs from fighting and wounding
each other, they had each been tied to wooden stakes spaced far enough apart to
prevent them from reaching any neighboring animal. Because of this, the wolf
walked freely among the dogs, killing some and badly wounding others. In
isolation they were no match for their foe, and they suffered terribly for it.
What a picture of the need for every Christian to belong
to a body of believers. Alone and isolated, Christians present themselves as
much easier prey for the schemes of the Enemy of our souls.
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