Last of All? Servant of All?

How counter-cultural. Many of us have by now realized the impracticality of being Number One/the Greatest. And yet there’s something which impels me to succeed, to be recognized for my superior intellect. I’m quite proud of my new all-electric car: I tell people that it’s good for the atmosphere, but I like to be seen in it. Besides, it’s RED. Scriptures for the coming weekend smack us a good one for our advanced egos–the challenge is to hear/read them without pointing a finger at our neighbors, and inhaling them personally.

Beats me why PROVERBS 31:10-31 should be included in the Lectionary, or why it’s included in the canon in the first place. This passage has unduly affected and troubled our understanding of Women through the ages, for it describes the “good wife” as SuperWoman who can do everything well, and who probably looks like Mrs. Brady when her husband comes home! Generations of women have frustrated themselves when they can’t live up to this Stepford-like picture; and generations of men have goaded them on… One commentator (male) tries to explain this as a JOINT effort between husband and wife, which is lame. Take it out, or at least bury it!!

JAMES 3:13-4:3, plus vv.7 & 8 is the Epistle reading of the day. Verses 17 & 18 seem to be the core: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.” The author is contrasting an earth-bound “wisdom” of me-first with heavenly graces which reveal God’s involvement with Creation. Henri Nouwen has postulated somewhere that all worldly evil springs from Greed & Anger. But wisdom from above expresses itself here as an awareness of the needs of others. Is this image evident in the overview of your congregation?

The Gospel continues the story of Jesus’ approach to Jerusalem, MARK 9:30-37. On the way, Jesus observes a discussion in the ranks of his followers: Which is to be Greatest? And in answer he said, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” That’s not what Grampa said! Like Hagar the Horrible, we want to get ours first and leave the remnant to others… But the highest prestige is given to those who wait on table ; if they’re lucky, they’ll get the crumbs which are left over. Little kids don’t do much for the maintenance of the household–but we train them and keep them around for what they will be someday! Receiving Jesus as a child means seeing salvation and fulfillment in an approaching holiness.

If there’s a Golden Thread which weaves through these lessons it seems to deal with service. The WonderWoman of Proverbs works 24/7 to aid others, especially of her own household. James speaks of holy wisdom expressed in yielding our egos to the needs of others. And Mark tells of Jesus’ teaching about humble service, allowing others to stand in line ahead of the disciple. Hard?? You bet–especially for the preacher who lived on crumbs earlier, but now enjoys the Good Life! Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me…

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Join me every Tuesday to get slapped around by scripture intended to be read on the upcoming weekend: at horacebrownking.com