Bible Society of South Africa

When am I important in the kingdom? – 24 August 2022

By Fanie Richter

Bible text(s)

Matthew 20

28like the Son of Man, who did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.”

Matthew 20:28GNBOpen in Bible reader

When am I important and meaningful in the kingdom of God? This implies that the kingdom, including the Church of Christ, should find something of interest in me – in the service and value I add according to God’s purpose and plan with me. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) When you make this a reality, you serve meaningfully.

In Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus so clearly says that our importance (significance) is to be found in our service – the noble essence of our purpose in life, “… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (verse 28)

The benefit in the kingdom is contrary to what people usually desire – also to you – when your conduct and co-operation are authentic. When the whole is served properly, the Lord’s blessing is upon it – to recipients and also reciprocally to co-workers who share together in that love, joy and peace due to transformation (re-formation) – which God thereby creates for the blessing of all.

Through his example, Jesus came to reveal the importance of our co-operation in servanthood and save us out of our ignorance (with confused minds and without a share in the life that God gives – Ephesians 4:18) and reconciled us to God – to become part of his royal family, with the royal mandate to help advance his kingdom’s blessings.

You become important in the kingdom when you surrender to the will and plan of God and begin to serve it. The joy and satisfaction gained will inspire you so much that you would want to sow more. This is the power of the Gospel and the working of the Holy Spirit that we learn from im.

Prayer: Lord, help me to become meaningful to your kingdom, as you planned and intended it, so that I can pray about it further and serve that purpose in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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