Daily Reading
Daily Thought
Jacob knew the sting of favoritism, “Isaac loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob” (Genesis 25:28). His father had preferred his firstborn brother. Favoritism produced pain and division, placing one child first above the others, yet, Jacob, when it was his turn, chose a son to favor, as well. Joseph may not have been his firstborn son, but he was the firstborn son of Rachel, the wife Jacob favored. Indeed, the sins of the father visit the children to the third and fourth generation (see Exodus 34:7). “Now Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors” (Genesis 37:3). Of course this caused dissension, but even after the other sons disposed of Joseph (they sold him off as a slave), Jacob learned nothing. He promptly promoted Rachel’s second son, Benjamin, in Joseph’s stead and the favorite’s chair continued to be filled.
This pattern of primacy would be broken, at last, by way of humility. Judah, one of Joseph’s brothers, chose to be last instead of first. When Benjamin’s life appeared to be threatened, Judah offered his in exchange, “Please let me remain instead of Benjamin as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers” (Genesis 44:33). Judah offered his life for the sake of his brother’s. True greatness is never first in line. Serving and sacrifice always get there before it.
Joseph appears the hero of the last dozen chapters of Genesis, but God’s Son, the Servant King, would descend not through the favored line of Joseph, but through a different son, a servant. “Jesus…the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham” (Luke 3:33-34). Serving others is in God’s DNA.
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ~Mark 10:45
Daily Prayer
My God, Your Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords, died on the cross in my place. I tend not to rule that way, but my Creator does. How pompous I am, the desire to be first reigns in my heart, yet the One who is truly First places Himself last, in the role of servant.
I have learned from Your Son, my Savior, that to be first I must be last. You shine through me when I love and serve others. May I be one who follows You downward, emptying my own pride, and replacing it with love and sacrifice.
Amen
Daily Question
What are some ways your family has made serving others part of your DNA?
