Looking Out for #1

here were even beginning to be blown away.
Who am I?
Sometimes we have tendency as humans to think we are more important than we really are. We even think we are more important than others. So we might say, “It’s not fair” meaning “It’s not fair to me.” So we act more self-centered than God-centered.
What are some self-centered things? And what might be a way to changed that attitude or action into something God-centered?
(Discussion)
Summary: Palm Sunday is a reminder for us to focus on God because Jesus is the reason for Easter. Jesus died for us. But Jesus also rose for us as well. So Palm Sunday encourages us to think about something this week: What is most important in my life? Is it really Jesus?


Part Two
Earlier I played a role, a character. I assumed the perspective of a donkey. Well, the donkey that brought Jesus into Jerusalem and fictitiously assumed something that I think we struggle with as humans. As the donkey, I failed to recognize that it was really all about Jesus all along. This is sometimes what we forget. It really isn’t about me. Life is about God and God’s ways and God’s agenda.
Did you know that an eleven-year-old named Sajani Shakya officially retired three weeks ago? It was reported by Reuters. She retired after nine years of being the Kumari. The Kumari is a young girl that after a rigorous cultural process to be the incarnate Hindu god, Kali. Literally Kumari is “living goddess.” So this living goddess officially retired which is required when the Kumari reaches puberty.
As I thought about this story in relation to today’s message, I thought about how sometimes even in churches, we can get caught up in an exaggerated self-importance. “I’m the pastor.” “I’m the chair of the board.” “I’ve been attending here since 1859.” “I’m the head of the household.” “I’m the adult and you’re the child.”
And we forget that all we are is supposed to reflect the glory of God in us. People aren’t supposed to see us but see Jesus. We need to make ourselves less so that Jesus can become more. And really, that is what looking out for number one is all about.
In our culture number one is all about me—my needs, my wants, my security, my money, my work, my ministry, my choice. Me, me, me!!!
But Jesus came to show us that the real number one is supposed to be God. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
One of the most beautiful and powerful expressions that Jesus gives us lies in John 13. Here Jesus reminds us that in order to look out for number one (will the real number one please stand up), then we have to put ourselves on equal footing (pun intended) with everybody else.
It was the Passover meal and right in the middle of it, Jesus gets up and gets a basin of water. With a towel wrapped around his waist, he begins to go around and wash all the feet of his disciples. He even washes Judas’ feet even though John makes it a special point to tell us that Jesus already knew of Judas’ betrayal. Jesus already knew that Judas would fail Jesus and fail himself and fail his brothers. Jesus did it anyway.
Now remember, a Rabbi sought to reproduce himself in his disciples. And a Rabbi was treated with respect and honor. This meant that menial tasks such as washing a person’s dusty feet would be done for the Rabbi and not the other