Go | Matthew 28:16-20

MONDAY
Reflection 16 of 35

Reflect
Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:16-20  | MSG

Receive
“More than any other single way, the grace of humility is worked into our lives through the discipline of service. Humility, as we all know, is one of those virtues that is never gained by seeking it. The more we pursue it, the more distant it becomes…But there is something we can do. We need not go through life faintly hoping that someday humility may fall on our heads. Of all the classical Spiritual Disciplines, service is the most conducive to the growth of humility.” ~ Richard Foster, Celebration of the Disciplines

It’s easy to read what we call the “Great Commission” and be stirred to such a fever pitch of activity as we strive to become “saviors” of the world. Exercises in missing the point. Exercises in which our ego, pride, and sense of self-importance find a new place to nestle and grow. But to truly embrace the “Great Commission” is to embrace what is the only sure path to the death of ourselves, our pride, and our egotistic, self-pandering and self-promoting obsession with, well, ourselves. Humility is beyond our reach. Going out into this world with a basin and a towel to wash some dirty feet, with a cup of cold water for some thirsty soul in a hidden place, with a listening presence to give to someone unseen, with a wordless groaning of a prayer for someone that prayer has forsaken – this is within our reach. To choose to be a servant is within our reach. And the resulting training given and received is where we are truly changed into disciples of Jesus. It’s the path along which the Great Commission is truly fulfilled.

Relate
What scares you most about the thought of serving others – or even more, of being a servant to others? Why?

Respond
Pray
We’re going to make this simple each day of this week. One prayer. Each day. “Lord Jesus, as it would please you, bring me someone today whom I can serve.”

Practice
We’re going to keep this simple this week too. One practice. Each day. Hopefully in multiple, unanticipated, creative ways. Don’t just choose to serve today. Be a servant today with all of the inconvenience, all the lack of recognition, all the potential humiliation that entails. Let your pride and agendas go. Be. That. Servant.

For all of this week’s resources for this new series on Spiritual Disciplines including this week’s DG video, check out the Vineyard website.