Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries - Thursday, 9 January
2014 - "Swelled Heads"
A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be
regarded as the greatest. (Luke 22:24)
Most of the time most pastors get along well!
Even if they come from different denominations, they still
extend to each other a modicum of professional respect.
That was not the case about five years ago when pride came
between two preachers. These pastors, whose congregations thought they were in
competition, met on the street. One of them coldly said, "I heard you
speak the other night and recognized that sermon. You preached it about 14
years ago."
Somewhat put out by such a direct attack, the other shot back,
"Thank you very much. I heard you speak just three weeks ago, and I can't
remember a single word you said!"
The conversation probably wasn't much different as the disciples
disputed about which of them was the greatest.
We expect little children to argue and brag. Children take great
stock in telling why they're the smartest, cutest, fastest and bestest. But
Jesus' disciples should have matured beyond such silliness.
How it must have hurt Jesus to hear them squabble.
His heartache stemmed from the fact that not only were His
disciples fighting, but these were the men with whom He had worked the hardest.
These were His trusted friends whom He had kept closest to Him, who had seen
His miracles, and listened to His sermons on love. These were the ones who
would be entrusted with the sharing of the Gospel.
Similarly, Jesus must be appalled by His present-day disciples
who squander the church's volunteers and resources on insignificant and
inconsequential internal disputes. How sad our Redeemer must be when normally
sensible and almost always rock-solid Christians jockey for recognition and
demand acceptance of their own points of view.
Jesus knew back then, and He wishes His people to know now that
the church and its leaders have bigger enemies to fight than each other.
Jesus died and rose so His people could witness to others on His
behalf. Jesus died and rose so His people would come to Him humbly and
acknowledge, "Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for
me."
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, forgive me when my pride gets in the way
of doing all I can for You and Your work. If I am proud, let it be proud of the
fact You are my Savior. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
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In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
660 Mason Ridge Center
St. Louis, MO 63141 United States
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