Tuesday, December l7, 2002

Luke 22: 24 - 27

Jesus praised several persons, people who were not considered great by most of their first century contemporaries. Among these Jesus-lauded individuals were women as well as men, non-Jews as well as Jews. Who were they? A widow who humbly, sacrificially put her two last coins into the temple offering box, a Roman officer who politely, trustingly requested that Jesus heal his servant; a Syro-phonecian woman who persistently begged Jesus to heal her daughter; and a Samaritan traveler who helped a man who had been attacked by robbers.

Let us look at some persons of more recent time, persons who achieved true greatness by Jesus' definition.

John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, deserves recognition for true greatness thanks in significant measure to another truly great disciple--his mother Susanna Wesley. From early childhood John and his siblings were taught by her to read the Bible and to apply its teachings to their lives.

Following his father into ordained ministry, John came to the Georgia colony as a missionary. Returning to England, he became leader of a disciplined society outstanding for its twin-focus on scriptural-holiness and social-holiness. Wesley inspired many persons by his life-style. He led by example, not by lording it over others

Thanks to his great leadership, the expanding Methodist movement came to the New World colonies. After American independence, the movement became a church that shaped the early history of our nation and developed into one of the largest Christian denominations in this country. Literally following the example of John Wesley riding on horseback for miles and miles in order to meet the needs of people, circuit riders kept pace with pioneers on the westward frontier. Other Methodists, like Wesley, ministered
to persons in schools, hospitals, and prisons.

Today, of course, Methodist churches, schools, children's homes, and social work centers can be found around the world because John Wesley saw the world as his parish and inspired Methodists to be "witnesses of the Lord Jesus to the ends of the earth" (Acts l: 8 ).

As United Methodists, we look up to John Wesley. May all that he did to merit our respect as a disciple of true greatness be a challenge to us in our servant-discipleship.

Christ, from whom all blessings flow, perfecting the saints below,
     hear us, who thy nature share, who thy mystic body are.

Join us, into one spirit join, let us still receive of thine,
     still for more on thee we call, thou who fillest all in all.

Move and actuate and guide, diverse gifts in each divide;
     placed according to thy will, let us all our work fulfill.
               Charles Wesley l740      UM Hymnal #550

Frank Kuhlman

All contents copyright 2002 by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. Permission is granted to United Methodist congregations, individuals and groups to reproduce and distribute this devotional without charge. All other use requires the advance permission of the editor.