Psalm 31:5-6, 14-16, Matthew 20:26-28

“…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

In the book of Revelation, the church is under a lot of distress and persecution because of Caesar Domitian, but also due to followers of Jesus compromising their practices to blend in with culture (for socio-economic gain, status, acceptance).  As I read Psalm 31, I remember Jesus committing his spirit to the Father as He is about to become the ransom for many.  

Psalm 31 and Matthew 20 juxtaposed with another offer a way to go about following Jesus:  He is the faithful one whose love is unfailing.  And our response is to commit our spirit, to pray for deliverance from enemies (inner/outward/among), and to trust God’s faithfulness in our lives.

Matthew calls us to remember that are we leaders to serve a mission that is bigger than us!  We too called to a life of mission service for the sake of God’s glory and the ransom of many.  

May we practice mindfulness as we commit our lives to Jesus, becoming servants of His mission, and gives our own lives as ransom.  Amen.