We have the delightful experience of a variety of birds and animals roaming around on our lawns and garden. The way they interact with one another is fascinating.
The cock lords it over his two hens and calls them over to sample any titbit he thinks he has discovered in the grass. Being obedient wives they come over to him leaving what were probably better morsels.
This cock is frustrated because he is out-weighed by almost all the livestock. He has found a two-year-old toddler he can terrorise until her grandparents show up and chase him off.
The ducks are peaceful birds that prefer their own company and love to guzzle on the succulent sour fig leaves. The geese however have a special hatred for ducks and will chase them off the duck pond or away from water dishes.
Geese strut and always manage to look haughty. From time to time they try to confront the dogs, but get quickly chased back to their place in the pecking order. Ganders often try to chase us off what they regard as their property with loud squawks and much head pointing. Their best efforts are to stamp and shout after us as we are walking away, and then loudly hail this as a victory. Of course I am more important than any of them.
Jesus’ 12 disciples were not free of ambition. Several times Jesus caught them arguing about their own importance. James and John even sent their mother to him to try to win them special favours.
Jesus lived a life of service to all and at the last supper before his crucifixion he demonstrated this dramatically by taking on the role of a servant and washing the feet of his followers.
He had explained: “You know that the rulers of the gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matt 20:25-28.
The self-important Christian will be at the bottom of the pecking order while those who serve the needy will, to their complete surprise, be on top when the day of Jesus comes and he says: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matt 25:21, 23.
