Well I write you from Boston MA while I hold my first born grandson.  What a joy to be with him and his parents.  But enough about my life, though I think it is interesting, it may not be for you. Which brings me to my topic for this newsletter.  Self-interest VS selflessness .

Jesus is a perfect example of a life of selflessness.  In example after example Jesus put the people He met ahead of His own personal preferences.  One story comes to mind.

Jesus was avoiding the crowds that followed Him everywhere, to see and experience His presence and sometimes His healing touch.  He went into gentile country which no Jew would do on purpose.  He was confronted by a woman who asked Jesus to heal her child.  He was on the surface reluctant.  He even said something I would find hard to hear or say.  He said, “I have come to the children of Israel. What have I to do with you?”  She still persisted and replied, “Even the dogs get the scraps from the master’s table.”  Jesus then replied, “Well said woman, go, your child is well.” Matthew 15:21-28.  (I paraphrased all quotes)

Jesus was on His way to another part of the country and avoiding all the people that He could.  It was not convenient to be confronted and yet He was.  He could have sent her away and in fact He did try to dissuade her two times from getting what she wanted.  But she persisted by humbling herself before Him.  She also honestly answered His statement by placing herself in the lowest position possible.  Jesus was moved to act.

Two truths are evident in this encounter.  1. If we want God to act in our behalf we cannot go to Him with an arrogant  attitude.  In other words we need to get rid of the attitude.  2. If we are to be more Christ like we need to always be available to others.  We can never place self-interest above the interest of one in need.  We are to be selfless in every area of our lives.

Jesus never said it would be easy to follow Him.  He said it would be worth it.  Let us travel together on this road of ministry giving all we can and not looking back.

Blessings for you this week.

John

See you soon.