When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks…(ESV)

Warren Wiersbe highlights the potential surprise of Paul picking up the sticks in this story. He says: ‘If you had saved 276 people from drowning, would you feel it necessary to do menial labour like picking up sticks? Certainly the grateful passengers would have relieved Paul of the task! But Paul was a servant and he did the job that needed to be done (Phil.2:1-11).’

The highest position on offer in the Kingdom of ‘the Suffering Servant’, Jesus, is that of a servant. The way up is the way down. The top of the tree is actually at the bottom. No wonder someone observed, ‘Anyone who follows Him (Jesus) must undergo a transvaluation of values!’ We have entered ‘the Upside-down Kingdom.’

I do have a slight problem though: ‘I don’t mind being a servant until I’m treated like one!’

PRAYER: Lord grant that I never grow so big in my own estimation that I am reluctant to ‘pick up sticks’.

PS: When we seek to serve in Jesus’ Name, we should not be surprised if the old serpent comes after us: ”Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV). He doesn’t have to win.