What if we played a game and didn’t understand the concept of the game? We would lose and be last, right? When I was young we played the game of “LIFE” by Hasbro. The way to win of course was to end as the richest player. Let me tell you about the “Jesus Edition” of the game called “LIFE”. You win by looking out for the best interest of others around you. Very different than what “the world” teaches us, huh?
Mark 10:41-45 (TNIV)
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The closer I get to Jesus, and the more I apply His wisdom to my life……. wisdom that so often is the opposite of what we are taught in everyday life…….the more I am amazed and the more I find true healing and fulfillment in my life. If Hasbro made a “Jesus” Edition of their games called, “LIFE” they would have to redesign all the rules because God, indeed Jesus, plays by a whole different set of rules….rules of the heart!
When Jesus says the first will be last and the last first, He changed the terms of winning and losing. He also changed the terms of leadership in His kingdom. When we think of leadership, we often defer directly to the boss/employee relationship, or similar relationships. The truth is…….as parents we are leaders, as a spouse you are a leader, as a friend you are a leader, at home, at work, at school, in church, in the coffee shop, in the grocery store…….believe it or not…..you are a leader. In The Jesus’ edition of the game of “Life” leaders are those who work toward the best interest of others, leaders are NOT those who parade their authority.
What does this leadership look like?
Exhibit a “can do” spirit: Not only can you do most anything through Jesus, you should also encourage others around you in their “can do” spirit.
Exhibit a “let’s get our hands dirty and get to work” attitude: Helping those around us isn’t work as much as helping those around us is an opportunity to allow Christ to shine through us.
Exhibit a “your pile looks bigger than mine, let me help you” attitude: When we help others shine, when we help others find success using their God given gifts and talents……we again allow Jesus to shine through us.
Jesus is telling the disciples, indeed, Jesus is telling US that the kingdom is right here in our midst, it is right here, right now and extends into eternity……we just need to play this game called “Life” by different rules. It all boils down to two things: Love God and love each other. If we do those two things, we abide by all the other rules in the book.
Philippians 2:5-8 (TNIV)
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death– even death on a cross!
Jesus’ mission was to serve and ultimately He gave His life in order to save a sinful humanity. Here is the key: His life wasn’t “taken”….it was “given”. The disciples thought that Jesus’ life and power would save Israel from Rome. But Jesus gave His life to save all of humanity from sin. I always found it interesting, indeed amazing, that upon their discovery of the empty tomb and upon seeing Jesus after His death, in resurrection……..they finally understood. And all but one went to their death “serving”.
One of my favorite quotes is from Pastor Rob Bell, “God wants humanity encountered by Him, through us. We are all a part of God’s story…..let’s not lose that.”
Play the Jesus edition of the game of “Life” by the right set of rules…….let’s not ever lose that!