Seeking to Serve

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve  and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (NKJV)

“I am somebody!” Perhaps you’re old enough to remember hearing  those words that  became the motto for countless thousands of students in  elementary and secondary schools in the seventies. They chanted them enthusiastically when guest speakers tossed them out in assemblies.  How much good came from this concentrated dose of  self-esteem, I don’t know, but  the self-worth that was promoted then is still the watchword of  people in society today, and the majority of them would rather be served than serve.

But listen to what Jesus said to His disciples in our focus text for today. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”  Two of  the disciples, James and John, the sons of Zebedee,  were caught being ambitious. They even got their mother to put in a word for them to Jesus about saving two choice places for them when He set up His kingdom. One of them would be on Christ’s right hand, the other on  His left.  Office-seekers  today can relate well to Mrs. Zebedee’s two sons.  But Jesus saw through them,  their anbition,  and  their self-promotion. They wanted to be leaders,  having others look up to them. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?  Christ’s reaction toppled their unholy desire.  If any of them was going to have a part in His  kingdom, they would have to learn humility.

Thankfully, some people have learned humility well.  I was very ill when I showed up at  my doctor’s office on a Saturday morning. He diagnosed my case and treated me all day until late Saturday afternoon, when he was sure I was well enough to be released. That was when he did something that made an impression that has stayed with me  these many years.  My doctor was ready to leave the office for the day. He put things away and then went around  gathering the trash to take it outside.  Was he above collecting trash?  He didn’t think so.  His nurse practioner (NP)  was right there, but he didn’t order her to do it, and he didn’t leave it for the cleaning woman, who wouldn’t be coming in  until Monday morning. He did it himself. Today, despite the rampant ambition mentality, especially in public life, there are still people who can handle the servant-role with ease.

Using our gifts and abilities to  serve with humility is a laudable ambition. My doctor had what Jesus was looking for in  His disciples and what He wants to see in  us today—giving ourselves in humble service to others. Doing this makes us somebody in His eyes.

PRAYER: Lord, help us not to seek the highest place in this world nor in your kingdom.  May we realize that the highest glory is to love and serve You and others.

Always,

Judith

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Your labor is not in vain 
   When it is  done in the Lord.”
I Corinthians 15:58