The New Testament lesson for Palm Sunday is always the one excerpted about from Philippians 2. Paul encourages us to be like Jesus who was the ultimate model for humility. What could be more important during this time than to grow in humility? Yet today humility seems to have lost its value. Perhaps, though, we need to look to servants of God—health care workers, grocery store clerks, and others--to find true humility.
Hasn’t it always been the case that those who practice humility seem to be those who do everyday jobs—not so much those who lead in our world. This is probably why great servants of God like Mother Theresa-- who cared for the untouchables in India—give us lessons in humility.
During seminary one of my friends named John worked at the local nursing home. He worked as an orderly, talking to older residents and helping them with the most basic activities of life, making sure they were clean and refreshed every day. He even removed bedpans and changed sheets. I thought then “how could he do this?” After all, he was the graduate of a Lutheran college where he was a member of one of the best Lutheran choirs. Looking back, I have thought, “what great preparation for ministry that was!”
How can anyone possibly act in such a humble way? The key is in Paul’s letter to the Philippians: “in humility regard others as better than yourselves.” That is not easy, though, and we certainly need examples like that of Jesus, who did exactly that for us. Who can you serve like Jesus, today?
Let us pray.
“Lord, make me a servant, humble and meek. Let me lift up those who are weak. Make me a servant, make me a servant, make me a servant today. Amen.”
(Kelly Willard)
Other lessons for today: Psalm 31:9-16 1 Samuel 16:11-13 Philippians 1:1-11
Pastor Roger Black
