A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW     

A SLAVE TO . . .   

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 

Probably a better translation from the Greek to English here in Matthew 6:24 is “ . . . no one can be a slave to two masters.” The hearers of these words of Jesus understood them because slavery was very common. They immediately knew His point was a person can only be a slave to one owner. That owner will control their life. They will be under his full and complete control. 

With the context of today’s devotional verse Jesus is still addressing the issue of possessions and money. (see verse 21) His point throughout these verses’ centers around your priorities. Either your life centers around and focuses on this world and the things of this world or on your relationship, faith, and commitment to God. There is no such thing, Jesus says, as having one foot in each of these worlds. One or the other will govern your life. 

Jesus could have chosen the priority of having the world. Satan tempted Him with this choice. On Palm Sunday the crowds hovering around Him as He entered Jerusalem encouraged Him to use His almighty power to set Himself upon a political throne and become the king of Israel.   

Jesus rejected slavery to the world. Jesus refused to become king of Israel. Jesus, knowing well the outcome of His choice to remain a slave of His heavenly Father, chose to follow the course He had come to earth to complete. He went to Calvary’s cross to shed His blood to save sinners from everlasting death and separation from His heavenly Father. 

Through your baptism and the power of the Gospel the Holy Spirit has called you to live your life as a slave of God. He is your master. As your master He has only your good in mind. His desire is for you to be saved, to possess the knowledge of His truth and to receive His gift of everlasting life. 

Prayer: Father God, send Your Holy Spirit into my heart to lead and guide me as Your slave to follow You to the everlasting victory Jesus has won for me. In His holy name. Amen. 

Jesus, lead Thou on Till our rest is won;   
And although the way be cheerless,   
We will follow calm and fearless.  
Guide us by Thy hand To our fatherland. 

If the way be drear, If the foe be near,  
Let not faithless fears o’ertake us;  
Let not faith and hope forsake us;  
For through man a woe To our home we go. 

When we seek relief From a longfelt grief,  
When temptations come alluring,   
Make us patient and enduring.  
Show us that bright shore Where we weep no more. 

Jesus, lead Thou on Till our rest is won.  
Heav’nly leader, still direct us,  
Still support, console, protect us.  
Till we safely stand In our fatherland.  

Jesus, Lead Thou On - LSB 718