by Kristin Huffman, Mission Advocate
Today is Palm Sunday, the first day of the final week of Lent, known by many as Holy Week. This whole week is full of rich reminders through scripture of Jesus’ final week on earth. All four Gospels contain parts of the story that show us the words, actions and prayers of Jesus in the days leading up to His death. One theme I see repeated in many of the Gospel accounts is the description of various kinds of service. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the preparations for the Last Supper, Simon carrying Jesus’ cross to Golgotha and the women preparing spices for His burial—each of these stories shines a light on the spiritual practice of service.
In thinking about the practice of service, I was reminded of this saying (attributed to Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., but also a song on Johnny Cash’s 1977 album, The Rambler): “Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” Sometimes, we can be so intent on practicing some of the more inward disciplines, such as silence or solitude, that we forget or ignore the outward disciplines that are equally important. In The Spirit of the Disciplines, author Dallas Willard outlines some of these practices—including the practice of service—in what he refers to as the “Disciplines of Engagement.”
Spend some time this week reflecting on Matthew 21, Mark 11 and 14, Luke 19-22, and John 12-13, looking specifically for acts of service. How did Jesus serve others in these passages? How did people serve Jesus?
As you’ll note in the above passages, service takes many different forms. In Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV), Jesus reminds us that the root of service is love for God and neighbor:
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
In this last week of Lent, how can we intentionally love God and neighbors through service? Consider the ways you can serve those in your immediate community and those who live far from you. It may be as simple as calling a friend in need or buying coffee for the person behind you in line. However you choose to serve others, remember that “The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).
We’d love to help you discern how to best serve those on the frontier—from a frontier vision trip to teaching others in your church community about least-reached peoples. There are lots of ways to get involved! Contact our team to learn more: frontierfellowship.com/contact.
To read more from our 2023 Lenten series, click here.
Comments are closed.