Wait a Minute!

Wait a minute…I was first!
 
“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.”  Mark 10:45 NIV

A few days ago I was on my way to an appointment.  I had just enough time to drive through the Shopko parking lot and place a letter in the mailbox.  Piles of snow from our recent snowfall surrounded the mailbox making it difficult to access.  Another lady had just pulled up close, gotten out of her car, and was placing her mail in the box.  I kept my car back just enough to give her room to drive out when she finished.  Then, as she was heading back to her car, another car came out of nowhere, weaved around me, passed the snow piles, and ignored the lady.  Without any regard for either of us, he skipped through, placed his mail in the box, and drove away.   For a moment I felt angry.  It wasn’t his turn!  I thought about beeping my horn to tell him, “Hey, wait a minute…I was first!”  But then I took a deep breath, calmed down, and looked for God’s lesson in the moment.

What if Jesus had said, “Wait a minute…I was first!  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  I have never sinned.  Why should I do anything for people who come from My perfect design yet try to weave around what I ask them do, ignore Me, follow their own plans, and then head on their way?”

Thankfully, Jesus never asked such a question.  Instead He showed us perfect love and sacrifice.  He taught us what it means to serve and to care for one another.  Jesus went even further.  He did not want us to be punished as we deserve so He willingly took our sins upon Himself.   He accepted our punishment as He died on the cross.  Jesus (the King of Kings and Lord of Lords) did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

He then showed His Power as He victoriously rose from the dead on Easter morning.  Now we celebrate, knowing that Jesus, our Savior, has risen.  He is risen indeed.  Alleluia!  One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  Amen.  (Philippians 2:10-11)

If you are concerned about who is first or best or most important – look far beyond yourself and to the One who is the Alpha and the Omega – the One who gave all He had for you.  Look to Jesus and follow His example.

God’s Blessings,
Tammy