The Plan

TITLE: The Plan
DATE: March 25, 2019
TEXT ESV - Matthew 20:28  - (ESV) - 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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When Franklin Delano Roosevelt was President, he kept, as his personal assistant, a frail, sickly man.
The fellow’s name was Harry Hopkins.

To the dismay of many, Harry was accorded great privileges, including that of being able to see the President without an appointment, at anytime he wished.

Eventually FDR was asked why he kept the man so close to him.

Roosevelt's reply is worth noting. "Through the door of my office flows an incessant stream of men and women who almost invariably want something from me. Harry Hopkins wants only to serve me. That's why he's near me." Serving Roosevelt was the singular mission of Harry Hopkins.

When Jesus talked about His mission, He shared that His singular purpose in coming to this world was to serve. He would serve the Father by performing the work of reconciliation. He would serve humanity by being One of us. As One of us, He fulfilled the law, He avoided temptation and He carried our sins to the cross where He died for us.

Jesus served us. What an unusual thought. I can't think of anybody else with the same motivation.

We live in a world that is filled with people who are in the business of taking and asking.

But Jesus is different. Jesus came to serve me and to give everything that I need to be forgiven.

Throughout His life Jesus never quit giving.

1. He never drew a line and said, "This is too much. I’m going back home.
2. He never said, “The disciples are never going to get it.
3. He never retreated in the face of the fierce Pharisees hatred.
4. He never said to the sleeping disciples. “Forget it boys, we’re done.”
5. He never said to Judas, “You’re toast unless you shape up.”

On the contrary, rather than giving up, Jesus continued on. He lived for us and He died for us.

While writing this devotion, I thought, wouldn't it be wonderful if Jesus would say the same thing about me and you that FDR said about his friend:

"Ken only wants to serve me. YOUR NAME only wants to serve Me. That's why he's near Me."

It could happen , you know.

Sure, it would take a lot of changing on our parts to have Jesus speak that way about us. We would have to turn around our whole approach to life. We would have to stop taking and learn how to give.  We would have to learn how to serve.

  But it could happen.

 THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, You never called it quits in fulfilling the plan of reconciliation. Grant that we may never quit trying to serve the Savior Who gave His life so we might live. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He with his extended family have a great witness. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html