For Others

TITLE: For Others
DATE: March 12 2019
TEXT: Philippians 2:3-4 - (ESV) -  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
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In the first quarter of the last century Norman Vincent Peale was asked to speak on Memorial Day at Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

As he was only asked to give a short invocation, he was unconcerned. Of course, he spent considerable time writing out what he was going to say partly because he knew God was listening, but also because Teddy Roosevelt was going to be on the platform with him. Peale's confidence collapsed when he found out that he had planned poorly.

The program said nothing about him giving an invocation.

It said he was to be the chief speaker of the day. With nothing planned, in panic he turned to President Roosevelt and asked for help. Teddy pointed to the row of gold-star mothers in the front of the audience and said, "Every one of them has lost a son in the war. There must be something you can say that will be helpful to them. If you're scared, it's probably because you're thinking of yourself. Stop thinking of yourself and think of them instead."

God did not need to give similar advice to His Son as Jesus' life was drawing to a conclusion.

Although the Passover in Jewish homes was usually a joyous occasion, this year, for our Savor, that would not be so. For Jesus the coming Passover was not going to be a festive time. He had been born so He could suffer and die for humanity. Now that day of death was imminent.

The time He had spent on this earth and with His disciples would soon be over.

It shows the measure of Jesus' love that even though He knew death was coming, and even though he knew, this year, death would not {pass over) Him, He did not think of Himself.

Instead of mourning His approaching death, He thought of His disciples.

• He thought of how they would fall asleep in the Garden and desert Him.
• He could see Judas’ kiss of betrayal and hear Peter’s three-fold oath of denial.
• He thought of you, 2,000 years later, reading this short devotion.
• He thought of everyone who would face death.
•  He thought of everyone, such as those Gold  mothers at a Memorial Day Remembrance –
• He thought of you and me standing by a casket which contains the earthly remains of a loved one.
•  He thought of us and gave Himself so that when death comes we will be accompanied by a Savior Who never thought of Himself.

It is difficult to think of others when your mind is preoccupied by what YOU are doing. Today, when you are busy, think of a loved one and give them a call telling them they are important. If you're really busy and know you can't get away - then really do it.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, Jesus is the sacrifice which calls me from darkness into light; from damnation to salvation. May I never grow so smart, so strong, so well-known so sure of myself that I think I don’t need a Savior.  In Jesus’ Name. Amen.  

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html