Blog

Use and Abuse

March 15, 2024

One of the regrettable “normalities” of our world, particularly in the sports world, is a term called “hazing.”

The older, more veteran athletes will often engage in some form of requiring the younger, new members to do something that is costly, painful, or humiliating. Granted it has become somewhat unpopular and thus more mild over the years.

In the NFL, for example, a rookie is forced to pay for the wealthier players’ team dinner. Here is a recent example.

Many revel in and chuckle at and deeply enjoy this kind of ritual, letting someone “know their place.”

I don’t think God does. I’ve often returned to the truth that Jesus came to turn everything “normal” upside down.

Upside Down Kingdom

In Matthew 20, Jesus teaches an excellent lesson on being content and not arguing for the human definition of “fairness.” In the second half of the chapter, the mother of the “sons of Zebedee” (James and John) brings her sons to Jesus asking for a favor.

She wanted Jesus to promise to give her sons positions of high importance in His kingdom. The other 10 disciples heard this request (which I am sure they wanted to make themselves, but had been hesitant to) and were filled with indignation against the sons of Zebedee.

A rift begins, and then Jesus answers:

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28

In essence, He says, “You are thinking of leadership and authority from a secular worldview. In my kingdom, it is the opposite. To be great, you serve others. Instead of seeking how you can dominate, seek how you can lift up.”

“Follow my example.”

Service, Not Superiority

How different would it be if the veterans of a team who have more money than they will ever need took the rookie and paid for all of his meals and some other expenses? Sat down with them and shepherded them through the pitfalls and expectations of this new world?

Not because they had to, but because they wanted to serve them.

One of our goals is to see our seniors desire to serve the freshmen instead of seeing themselves as superior.

Let’s strive to teach our children to take what is “normal” and “expected” by the world and flip it upside down.

Lift up instead of dominate.

Include others rather than excluding them.

Be a friend in place of seeking a friend.

Let’s follow His example.