A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, and Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, “Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.” Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus.”
Jesus instructs us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. This is a lovely sentiment, but it can be a challenge to put into practice. Very often, we want our needs and wants to be met first. If I take the time, effort, and resources to meet your needs, I might not have enough for what I need or want. What a dilemma you’ve given us, Jesus!
In the end, it all boils down to who is Lord. If Jesus is Lord, then we will want to lovingly obey His call. If we are Lord, then we can do what we please. The Apostle Paul makes it clear how we are to treat one another. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
Be Transformed 