SERVANTHOOD

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” —Mark 10:45

Would you rather be a servant or be someone who is served? Are you more inclined to want to help others or do you rather desire to have others help you? Can you see yourself waiting on others or wanting yourself to be waited on? Is your motivation to give of your life for others or do you seek to keep your life for yourself? The answer to these questions will be determined by understanding or not understanding Who gave you your life and the purposes He desires to work out in your life.

People are naturally selfish. Deny that if you wish, but we have worked with children for years and it is amazing how selfish they can be. This is not something that is taught. It is just their nature. But this is also true of adults. Adults can be as selfish as little children and more so. Me, me, me… mine, mine, mine…

Jesus is our example, but of course there are many who do not want anything to do with Him. But still, they will. We are told that “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11). May we yield to Him now as Savior instead of Judge after we die!

Do we really understand Who Jesus is and what He has done? Philippians 2:6-8 tells us that “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

Let us ponder and meditate on these Philippian verses. It is truly astounding when we consider who Jesus is. When we understand Who He is then we will love Him and other people as He desires us to. We will serve Him and other people as He desires us to. Oh, that we would have a servant’s heart. May it be so!

Dear Father, I stand truly amazed in the presence of Jesus my Lord and Savior. Oh, may I be more like Him in service and faithfulness.