Luke 12:41-48
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Read back over yesterday’s passage (Luke 12:35-40) and then read Luke 12:41-48 noting anything that stands out to you in Jesus’ answer to Peter.
Peter’s question belies a hint of exclusivity, and Jesus is quick to snuff out any ideas about privilege or power that may have prompted it. His answer to Peter hearkens back to his description of what it means to follow him – it’s about dying to selfish motivations, power-plays, and all false ways of life in order to find true life in Jesus. And for those with influence over others, it’s also about exhibiting the characteristics of Jesus. For Peter and the disciples this means leading like Jesus even when he isn’t physically with them anymore.
In truth, Jesus will always be with them, because his impending death and resurrection will open the way for a continuous experience of his presence for the first disciples and for all the Jesus-followers who come after them.
An awareness of the presence of Jesus is the starting place for being transformed into his image. We can’t affect our own transformation, but we can be alert to the presence of Jesus guiding us and redirecting us. And as we grow closer to Jesus, we begin to naturally display his characteristics.
Stop to become aware of the presence of Jesus with you now. Sit in silence and use your breath to become alert to Jesus as you breathe in his name and exhale any distractions. Stay with this for a while until you feel centered on Jesus.
Read Luke 12:41-48 again.
Jesus’ model of leadership was sacrificial. He came to serve humanity by giving his life to redeem people and bring them back to God. And this attitude of self-sacrificing service is what Jesus expects from his followers.
We all have people in our lives over whom we have some degree of influence or power, and it is Jesus’ will that we serve them by seeking their good. The key to becoming a servant leader who reflects the characteristics of Jesus involves rejecting the lure of privilege and power and remaining deeply aware of our own poverty of spirit. By this combination of rejecting and remaining we are free to rely on Jesus to shape us into faithful servants.
Get quiet for a moment and think of the people in your life over whom you have even a small degree of influence. Consider asking Jesus to speak to you about how you are being a faithful servant to him in these relationships. Then listen for while.
What might Jesus be prompting you to do or do differently today?
What do you plan to do about that?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
