Servants…?
Jesus said, The greatest among you shall be your servant”, Matthew 23:11
The role of a servant in the church of Jesus Christ is a most beautiful ministry but surely one of the most difficult. When Jesus washed His disciples feet the night of His betrayal, others would have been taking their last night and ensuring some sort of applause or acclamation from those on whose behalf they were about to suffer. Not Jesus, He grabs a towel and bends down and washes all of the disciples feet, the King of kings and the Lord of lords on His knees serving.
We live in a ‘serve me’ society that sees greatness in domination and lording it over others.
Jesus was the epitome of a servant leader. Every aspect of His life and ministry illustrated the type of spiritual leader He expected His disciples to be. Jesus even emphasized the lesson by asking the disciples that night, Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should as I did to you – John 13:12-15.
What sort of a servant are you? It is worth noting that a servant gets no credit for doing what a servant does, after all they are a servant. Not too many people signing up to be servants, but always numbers of people signing up to be leaders. Can you imagine what it would be like in a church where people submitted applications to do the least desired tasks available in a church in their droves?
Christianity is so different to the way the world operates. So should it be in our churches. No problems with humility when you are simply a servant. No on else wants to do what you do! May we learn the greatest of lessons from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, …made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men…and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Only a servant understands what its like to serve. Only a servant knows the blessing of being able to serve. The old saying, “There’s too many chiefs and not enough Indians” sounds like the Indian people knew what they were talking about. This week, whatever church you are in, there is always an opening for a servant!
The servant in heavens viewpoint is the greatest of all!