God is Looking for Willing Servants - Exodus 25-26 and Matthew 20:17-34
I believe it is hard for us to understand the concept of servanthood. We tend to be very independent, and most of us would like to be the boss, instead of a servant. God is looking for people who are willing to serve Him sincerely and completely. Think about this as you read these passages.
In Exodus 25 and 26 we read about God's instructions to Moses for building the Tabernacle and its furnishings. The instructions are detailed, aren't they? However, there are some common themes as we read all of the details. God called for an offering to be taken to supply the materials. It was to be received from those who were willing to give. It was not a forced offering. God's loves a cheerful giver. Then, Moses is not told to design and build the Lord's Tabernacle. He is told very specifically to follow God's pattern and to do it in a quality way. He was God's sub contractor. He was to carry out the Lord's plans. I pray that we can learn a great lesson from this. Each day of our lives should be an act of surrender to God's plans for us that day. All of our projects should be what He has designed for us. Why? The reason is that He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He has the best plans for all of us, since He sees the big picture perfectly. I pray we will become willing servants like Moses.
Then, in Matthew 20 we read about Jesus telling His disciples about His death and resurrection again. Jesus was submitting Himself to the plan of the Father to redeem the world. Read Philippians 2:5-11. He came to be a servant for us on the Cross. Then, James and John's mother asked if Jesus would make her sons more important than the rest in the Kingdom. I don't know if her sons were behind this request, but it was totally out of line. Why? The ones who are greatest in God's kingdom are servants. Jesus Himself came to serve and not to be served. We must seek to be like Him. We must not be looking for the best seats in heaven. Finally, Jesus healed 2 blind men who were crying out to Him. Once they were healed, they followed Him willingly. Have you been healed by Jesus? If so, are you willingly following Him, or do you still want to be the boss? That is a huge life issue.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 27-28 and Matthew 21:1-22.
In Exodus 25 and 26 we read about God's instructions to Moses for building the Tabernacle and its furnishings. The instructions are detailed, aren't they? However, there are some common themes as we read all of the details. God called for an offering to be taken to supply the materials. It was to be received from those who were willing to give. It was not a forced offering. God's loves a cheerful giver. Then, Moses is not told to design and build the Lord's Tabernacle. He is told very specifically to follow God's pattern and to do it in a quality way. He was God's sub contractor. He was to carry out the Lord's plans. I pray that we can learn a great lesson from this. Each day of our lives should be an act of surrender to God's plans for us that day. All of our projects should be what He has designed for us. Why? The reason is that He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He has the best plans for all of us, since He sees the big picture perfectly. I pray we will become willing servants like Moses.
Then, in Matthew 20 we read about Jesus telling His disciples about His death and resurrection again. Jesus was submitting Himself to the plan of the Father to redeem the world. Read Philippians 2:5-11. He came to be a servant for us on the Cross. Then, James and John's mother asked if Jesus would make her sons more important than the rest in the Kingdom. I don't know if her sons were behind this request, but it was totally out of line. Why? The ones who are greatest in God's kingdom are servants. Jesus Himself came to serve and not to be served. We must seek to be like Him. We must not be looking for the best seats in heaven. Finally, Jesus healed 2 blind men who were crying out to Him. Once they were healed, they followed Him willingly. Have you been healed by Jesus? If so, are you willingly following Him, or do you still want to be the boss? That is a huge life issue.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 27-28 and Matthew 21:1-22.