August 24, 2012 - St. Bartholomew, Apostle

Today's Reading: Luke 22:24-30

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 5:1-18; 2 Corinthians 1:23 - 2:17

Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. (Luke 22:24)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. "Shotgun!" "No, you have to be outside to call it!" Who gets the front seat? Let the wrestling begin. Jesus' disciples decided that since they didn't understand what He was talking about when He said stuff about going to Jerusalem to die, they would instead argue about who was top dog!

We're no better. We always want to shove ourselves ahead of others. Perhaps in certain parts of our lives, we know we can't compete. Maybe we're not the fastest or the smartest. But in whatever ways we can make up for that, we will. Instead of accepting what we have, we jockey for position and try to get ahead of others at their expense. That's your inner Pharisee coming out again!

That's why Jesus does what He does. He doesn't just rebuke His disciples. He shows them. He does it for them. He has the highest position of all. After all, He's the Son of the Most High. But does He act like it? Does He lord it over his disciples and put them in their place?

No, He goes to His place. The lowest place. The place reserved for thieves and criminals. The Place of the Skull, Golgotha. The cross. There, the Highest is the Lowest. The Most High is the most despised and hated. The Sinless becomes the sinner. The Mighty becomes the weak. The Savior does His saving.

Now what about you? The Law. That will humble you. Stare into the commandments for a bit and see how low you really are. How you really don't love God or your neighbor. Not just a little bit. Not at all! That's low you are in your sins. But Christ raises you up. Lifts you up at the font. Stands you up at the altar, full of His body and blood.

What if you were guaranteed the front passenger seat all the time? You'd never need to call shotgun. There'd be no need to put yourself above others because you and all of Christ's people have been given the top spot by Jesus — right alongside Him. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

On Christ's ascension I now build The hope of my ascension; This hope alone has always stilled All doubt and apprehension; For where the Head is, there as well I know His members are to dwell When Christ will come and call them. (LSB 492:1)

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