Refining our Motives

Gospel: Luke 7: 1-10

An influential government official approaches the local religious leaders with a request: he has an employee for whom he cares a great deal.  The employee is sick and the official wants him healed.  The religious leaders approach Jesus with the need, asking him to intervene because this government official has been generous to the local religious community, and these religious leaders would naturally like to see that generosity continue.  

Jesus goes to help the servant not for this motive, but because of genuine concern for this person.  Jesus also sees that this government official also has real concern for his servant.  Servants and employees are so often seen as replaceable and insignificant, but not this man.  He cares for his people.  Jesus sees what great faith and love this official has.  Jesus heals this servant and all is well.

What are our motives in the life of religion? Do we use religion as a self-serving vehicle to advance our interests, or do we follow the Lord Jesus in selfless love as he exhibits in his life on earth? Today is a time to reflect on our motives and life in religion, on our care for others and our motives for doing so, on imitating the Lord Jesus in his actions and motivations.