Only Free People Can Free People

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

As we celebrated "Reformation" Sunday a couple of days ago, we remembered that the church (whatever denomination) is called to be always reforming. Change may be tough in any institution, since institutions thrive on routine, but in Christ's Church, we are called to embrace change when doing so helps us proclaim the Gospel.

However, even positive, Spirit-driven change sometimes has unintended consequences.

An important change that I appreciate in the modern church is the focus on making a difference with this Love we have been shown. Denominations such as ours do a good job at talking about, teaching, and acting on God's call "not to BE served, but to serve." At St. Luke, we talk a lot about the ways God uses us in the lives of others throughout the week. This is a positive change from the days when churches were mostly navel-gazing; the purpose was individual salvation only, and not much emphasis was put on how redeemed people then participate in God's redemption of the world.

However, I have come to realize that this positive, Spirit-driven change has caused at least one unintended consequence. I will speak only for my context, which is a suburban middle-class context, but I think the unintended consequence is that now, any time we hear a Bible story about helping others, we assume we are the ones called to help, rather than the ones who need the help.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, we assume we are the Samaritan, not the guy in the ditch. This assumption works great for those times when we are feeling strong, but when we (often secretly) feel like we ARE the guy in the ditch, assuming we are supposed to just pull ourselves out of the ditch and help others only adds to our burden and pain.

In the parable of the Lost Sheep, we assume we are called to seek the lost, no matter the cost, just like Jesus did. But what if we hear this parable and we secretly FEEL lost? Again, our Protestant work ethic swoops in and tells us, "well, find yourself! There are lost people out there, and the church is asking you to be part of the rescue mission!"

In short, when we read the Bible like this, it doesn't sound like good news...it sounds like another to-do list item for people who are already so busy we don't take time to ask for healing as it is.

Take today's reading. For many of us, we hear "The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve," and we think, "yeah, I am called to serve others, just as Jesus did!" True enough. But let's pause today and recognize who we are in the story. We are not just those who serve. We need to BE served. Don't ignore the ways you are still held captive; the ways you still need someone to ransom you. Only free people can free people; are you free from the weight of brokenness, or is there something holding you back today? Pause the ask God to ransom you; to free you from your addictions (small or large), to forgive your shortcomings (noticed and ignored), and to give you a grateful heart.

If you are feeling pretty centered and free today, maybe it is your day to serve those you need.

However, if you feel held back by something...anything...grief, anxiety, worry, past mistakes, resentments...you name it...if you feel held back by those things, maybe today is your day to be ransomed. Maybe right now, as you read this, is the moment to silently pray, "God, I feel like a mess today...put the pieces back together. Forgive me. Help me to forgive others. Free me from everything that holds me back."

So...don't always assume it is your job to serve. Only free people can free people. Are you free today? Because Christ is waiting to break your chains...

PRAYER:
Almighty God, help us to be still today as you break the chains that hold us captive. Break us out of past patterns, addictions, anxiety, grief, worry, self-destructive choices, and resentment of others. Free us in your love. Then, as freed people, help us to find others that need this same freedom. Amen.