May 3 - Attitude of Gratitude

 Read today’s texts first: 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17 ; Psalms 2; Matthew 20

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 If you want to be great, learn to lay down your lives
and serve others, not yourselves.

Those who have heard me teach or preach often, know that I have one favourite theme, one string on my guitar – it’s the “A” string, and it stands for “Attitude.” I see that topic in almost everything I hear, watch, or read, particularly when I study God’s Word. Attitude seems to be important to Him as well!

The parables and interactions of Jesus in our NT reading today seem random, but a theme of attitude emerges in each story. The parable of the vineyard challenges our sense of fairness when those who worked for an hour earned the same as those who worked all day. But the owner delivered on His promise to all of them (20:1-16). Some will come into eternal life with minutes to spare (like the thief who repented on the cross beside Jesus) while others have served God their whole lives. The reward is the same, Jesus paid for it with His life, none of us deserve it, and our only response should be gratitude.

After teaching His disciples this parable and then explaining His plan to pay their wages with His own life (20:17-19), can you imagine how Jesus felt when he heard from the mother of James and John (they were called the Sons of Thunder so I guess she was Mrs. Thunder!)? She asked Jesus for preferred seating, power positions, for her boys in His coming kingdom. Jesus patiently reminded her and all the disciples of His example - if you want to be great, learn to lay down your lives and serve others, not yourselves (20:20-28).

Next, they met two blind men on the road outside of Jericho, who, unlike the disciples sometimes, had exactly the right attitude. Because of their desperate need, their approach was perfect: Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us! They knew they had nothing to offer but their need and their gratitude for anything they would receive.

Our OT readings show us the attitude of this same David, the ancestor and foreshadow of Jesus, the Messiah. After hearing of God’s promise of protection and prosperity for him and his family, this is how David responded: Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?....O Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant” (2 Sam. 7:18,28; 1 Chron. 17:16,26).

My prayer today is like David’s: “Lord, I deserve nothing, yet You have given me everything I need, freely by Your grace alone. When we combine “grace” with “attitude” we get “gratitude” - all I can do is say, thank You!”