Dear Christian friends:

During our Wednesday Lenten services we will consider the prayers of Lent. In the Lenten lessons we find many prayers. Our prayer tonight was not spoken by anyone in the Lenten lessons, but the text is one of the Lenten lessons. It urges us to be humble and serve.

So tonight let us pray for humility, "Lord make us humble and keep us humble in thy service. May we learn from Thee how to humbly serve Thee and one another. Amen"

Our text shows we can pray this prayer if we know how proud we are by nature. Look at the mother of Zebedee's sons (James and John) who asked Jesus to have her sons sit to the left and right of Jesus. (Matthew 20:20-21) Are we any better?

Mothers of sons who want them to become a minister. (My own mother was not happy when I decided to become a minister for the deaf.) Why do we have so much quarreling among ourselves here at church? Don't you think it is because of our pride? Officers often become disgusted with members and feel hurt or insulted.

One time, many years ago, I was riding the bus from Great Falls, Montana to Helena. I sat next to a man and I told him that I was a Lutheran minister for the deaf. He told me that he did not go to church anymore. I asked him "Why did you quit?" He said, "Because I used to work hard in the church, but nobody thanked me." I told him, "Well, we should not serve in church to get honor and praise, but because we love Jesus and love other people."

Jealousy and envy appear because of our pride, wanting praise, honor and glory for ourself, and not really interested in helping someone or serving. How proud our heart is by nature! Terribly proud!

We need to realize this then we can pray to Jesus to forgive our pride and ask Him for strength to humbly serve Him and people. We like Jesus must seek greatness in humble service.

Jesus gave His life on the cross to serve us and save us. He humbled Himself very much. The Son of Man suffered a shameful death on the cross. In the Scripture lesson we saw how He washed the disciples feet on the Thursday before He gave the Lord's Supper. A very, very humble work!

He loved us and accepted us with all of our faults and sins, and then died for us. So we should try to love others and help them and spend our time and money to serve them. Yes, if necessary, risk our life to save them.

Yesterday a man fell and broke his hip. He crawled out on the street where cars could see him and waved for help. Many cars came by. They slowed down and looked, but none stopped to help. Some stopped and looked and then drove on. That continued for one-half hour. Finally the man at the gas station one block away wondered why the traffic was slowing and stopping. He went to see and found the man still lying on the street. Why did the people not stop to help? Maybe they thought it was a deception and didn't want to risk their life or waste their time.

This morning I was shoveling snow. The son of our neighbor was stuck. His mother says he doesn't like to go to church. She is a good church member. So I went to help him push his car free. I fell down and got very dirty but we got his car free. The son was very surprised to see a minister work like that and help him. Maybe now he will change his mind about church.

So how about you? Do you want to help Jesus? Then don't be afraid of work. Don't seek praise for yourself. Love people, all people like Jesus did. Seek to help them in their troubles and need. Other peoples troubles and problems are our opportunities.

Let us pray: "Lord forgive our proud hearts and ways. Help us to learn of You and how to love and humbly serve our neighbors and You, our wonderful God and Savior.

Amen.