May 10

Came to Serve

"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 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." Matthew 20:26

The greatest title in the Kingdom of heaven is not President, Chairman of the Board, or CEO. It is Servant. That is the title that Jesus himself took on so long ago. Yes, the Son of God, Prince of Peace, and King of Kings made himself a servant. He left his titles behind and was born to serve mankind. He continually took on the role of serving; healing others when he himself was weary, preaching when he would rather be resting, and washing his disciples' feet when he should have been having his weary feet washed. The lesson he was attempting to teach over and over again in his ministry was that the most powerful one in the room is the one who serves. By the world's standards, Jesus was not a powerful man: he did not do powerful things; but the impact and legacy that he has left on this world is immense. Why? Because he was a servant. There is no one on the face of the earth who doesn't like to be served; who doesn't like to be the center of attention. We'd all like to think that the world revolves around us. We all want everyone else to meet our needs, instead of seeking to meet the needs of those around us. Our very nature is self-centered and self-serving, but this is the attitude of the rulers of Jesus' day and no one liked them. In fact, they were despised; and Jesus tells us in this scripture that if we are to be different from them, we need to make some changes

Stop and think for a moment. Who makes the most impact at your workplace; the one who demands that all serve them or the one who quietly seeks to be helpful and asks what they can do to help you? Who has the most power: the dictator or the servant? Be careful, we're not talking about who is to be feared, but about who has the most influence. Which person will others go to with their problems? Who will be the one that others confide in and trust? Which person will make an impact that will last? Which person will you be today to your coworkers, and to your family? Will you be the dictator or the servant to those around you today?

Make me a servant, Lord. Jesus, you were so selfless; help me to be like you, for it is in serving others that we will find true joy. Help me to serve my family, my co-workers and my church, expecting nothing in return. Help me to serve in such a manner that I can win others to you. Amen