Rank Has Its Privileges

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 46

When they enter, the prince shall enter with them, and when they go out, he shall go out. (Ezekiel 46.10)

Devotional Thought: The work session was over.  The worship service was set to begin.  There were some details, however, that needed attention.  Tables and chairs had to be moved out and replaced with risers, microphones, and a pulpit.  When you're a guest at an event, you don't often think about such details.  They just seem to happen.  But someone must do them.  I watched with a touch of surprise and a ton of respect as the host pastor rolled up his sleeves and went to work with everyone else, making sure things were ready for "church" to take place.  My friend Mark knew that "Rank has its privileges" ... the privilege to work harder, the privilege to stay later, and the privilege to give more.

In Ezekiel's vision of a newly constituted government in Jerusalem, he had something to say about the privilege of rank. It was expected in that culture to press those privileges as far as possible.  Leaders would make a big showing of their arrival - even at religious festivals.  Or as we would say, even in church!  Through Ezekiel, however, God said, "That doesn't fly in my house.  We're going to all come and go together."

The Apostle Paul dealt with that insidious attitude with the Corinthians.  The wealthy and well-placed members of the church were pressing their privileged status by going first at the Table of the Lord, while the poor members were going hungry.  Paul told them, "Stop it!"  The Apostle James had to deal with it, also.  He reminded his readers that to show partiality to the rich was ludicrous, since they were the very ones oppressing Christians.

Let us be like Jesus, who even as the Son of God, refused to exert his privilege, opting instead to serve.

Prayer: Jesus, there is no man of higher rank than you, yet you chose to lay aside that rank and become a servant.  Help me to be more like you.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 60.1-5

1 O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; oh, restore us.

2 You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair its breaches, for it totters.

3 You have made your people see hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger.

4 You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. Selah

5 That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us!