"Others, let this my motto be” says an old hymn. That song somewhat captures the focus of this verse from Philippians; "Look out for one another's interests, not just our own." (Philippians 2:4; GNT) That is what the Good Samaritan did. He put the other persons first. The Priest and Levite put their interests first.
Rick Warren, in one of his “Purpose Driven Connections” wrote on this passage, “In other words, if you want to connect with people, you’ve got to start with their needs, not your own.” That is what the Good Samaritan did. He saw the needs of this wounded man. He put aside his personal agenda and focused on the needs of the wounded man.
We are in the Lenten Season, a time when we remember Jesus’ journey to the cross. Jesus certainly put our interests, our needs first. In fact, we are Jesus’ personal agenda. He lived, died and rose again for you and me. How can we claim to follow such a Savior and live selfishly?
Living for others is living against the trends of our culture. Almost everything in our culture tends to train us to think ‘me first.’ Because of that, we often find ourselves in the role of the Priest and the Levite in Jesus’ parable. We miss even seeing persons in need as we rush through life focused on our own needs.
I suggest three questions Sunday morning for you to consider throughout this week. How are you doing with them? They were…
What need(s) do I see?
How do I need to pray about this need?
What action can I take to help?
This week I’ve witnessed people living in a counter-culture way. The servants who make the Kingdom Kids Consignment Sale happen have chosen to act for others. Saying “yes” to serving always involves “no” to something else. Monday morning as I arrived here at the church campus about 7:00 am, some of these servants were already here ready to receive items for the sale. When I left the church about 9:00 pm following the Cub Scout Blue-Gold Banquet, some of those same servants were still in the gym making sure everything was in order for the Consignment Sale. Last night, Tuesday night, the sale for the sellers closed a little after 8:00 pm. Some of those servants had been here most of the afternoon evening. Then this morning, Wednesday, some of the same servants were here as shopping opened to the public. Why do they do it? One of the leaders put it well in her final words before the Sellers came to shop last night – “Remember – It’s about Jesus.” We serve because Jesus first served us.
This Sunday I will continue the message series, “START Becoming the Good Samaritan.” http://www.juststart.org/ We will look at the wounded man. Who are the wounded that we need to connect with?
Those who serve with the Royal Family Kids Camp feel called to connect with some wounded kids. Presently, there is a real need for men counselors. Because of the nature of the camp, counselors serve specifically with one or two campers. Prayerfully consider becoming a counselor for the week of May 31 through June 4. For more information, contact Pam Ansardi - pansardi@alabamabroadband.net or Paul Wiegert – pwiegert@gmvumc.org
You’ve probably seen the announcements about the Passover Seder Meal with Messianic Rabbi Eric Walker. The Seder Meal marked the beginning of the Jewish Passover. The instructions for the Passover were given to Moses as a way for the people to remember God’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery, especially the night of the Passover Lamb.
It was this meal that Jesus celebrated with His Disciples the night before he went to the cross as our Passover Lamb. We traditionally call that Thursday Maundy Thursday. The word Maundy meals “command.” That night Jesus commanded His Disciples to remember Him by means of the bread and the cup. The bread and the cup were part of the Seder Meal, which Jesus took and applied to Himself, the Lamb of God.
This year we have a unique opportunity to experience what the disciples experienced that Thursday night as they celebrated the Passover Seder with Jesus. Be sure to get your tickets for the meal, for space is limited. You can get them in the Church Office.
Tonight, Wednesday, February 24, some new “START Becoming a Good Samaritan” Small Groups get started. I encourage you to get in a group.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
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