A Better Way

“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—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.’”
Matthew 20:25-28

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” This quote, the final line in Charles Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities would seem to be the final words of Sydney Carton, who lays down his life for Charles Darnay. How was Mr. Carton able to take the place of the other man - it is quite simple really, he bore a striking resemblance to the innocent, yet condemned Darnay. Carton chooses a better way, when he surrendered his life for another.

Jesus, taught His disciples a better way. He taught them a better way so that they and now we, who are called followers of Christ, would bear a striking resemblance to Him in this world. We are called to serve one another, to lay our lives down for others. When we authentically, put the needs of others before our own needs and comfort - we bear a striking resemblance to the One who allowed His arms to be stretched out on a Roman cross, in order to pay the price we owed. 

This better way does not mean, we are to be weak, doormats for others to walk all over - rather we are to find divine strength that allows us to overcome our own selfish desires. When we decide to follow the better way that Jesus sets before us, we can be confident that no matter what we face on this planet, our efforts will one day be rewarded as we stand in the presence of the LORD. 

Not many of us will be called to literally give up our lives, but we all will be called to lay aside the things of our hearts that keep us from being who Jesus wants us to be. Will you choose the better way?

A Prayer
Father, you know how selfish we can be; you know we sometimes pull hard against the way you want us to go, wanting to go our own way. Still you sent your Son to teach us a better way and to teach us by example. For His obedience He has been exalted to the highest place, where He waits to meet us face to face. Help us to grow in our likeness to Him, by becoming servants in His better way. Grant us the kind of strength that comes with true humility. In the name of Jesus who sets the perfect example, we pray - Amen.