Exercise Program

Daily Reading: Luke 22

And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors." (Luke 22.25)

Devotional Thought:  In Luke 22, today’s chapter, we are able to peer into two very intimate settings: Jesus’ last meal with his disciples and Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane. In the context of these meaningful events we find the disciples of Jesus arguing about who was the greatest.  They didn’t seem too sensitive to the spirit of the occasion, did they?

My attention was caught by a statement Jesus made as he taught the disciples about humble service: “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors” (Luke 22.25).  That is how position, power, and privilege work in this world.  There are always going to be those who lead.  That is the nature of human interaction.  We find examples of it throughout the Bible.  Jesus taught his disciples that they would indeed be leaders.  The concern expressed by Jesus was over the manner in which the disciples led.

Worldly leaders lead through power and coercion.  They seize authority and exert it.  All the while they pat themselves on the back, saying how blessed the people whom they lead are, how fortunate to have them as leaders!  The phrase, “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help” comes to mind.

Godly leadership takes a different route, however.  Godly leaders make sacrifices that cost them something personally, and when the service is completed they step aside, away from the limelight, knowing that they are indeed only servants.  That is just what Jesus did.

How do you choose to exercise leadership?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you did not come to be served but to serve - to give your life as a ransom for many.  Help me, like you, to give away my life in selfless service.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 144.9-15

9 I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,

10 who gives victory to kings, who rescues David his servant from the cruel sword.

11 Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

12 May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace;

13 may our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields;

14 may our cattle be heavy with young, suffering no mishap or failure in bearing; may there be no cry of distress in our streets!

15 Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!