The principles of the kingdom of God are totally divergent from that of the kingdoms of men. This is why the world system, controlled by the prince of the power of the air – the devil, would always be at loggerheads with the way of the Lord. The things which the world counts valuable do not count before God because the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God (1 Cor. 3:19). This truth was perfectly displayed in Jesus’ response to His disciples when a dispute broke out among them about who was the greatest. Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 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 10:42-45).
Jesus is the greatest man that ever lived but His greatness was deeply rooted in His service to all mankind. He went about serving those who needed to be healed, delivered, and restored and He ultimately went on to give His life as a ransom for our redemption. In His response to His disciples, He turned human conventional thinking on its head and made them to understand that although the world defines greatness by fame, popularity, wealth, power, skills, charisma etc, and the power-drunk world leaders dominate and flaunt their authority over their followers, it is not so in the kingdom of God. In the eyes of God, true greatness lies in service; “He who is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matt 23:11).
Jesus showed us a great example of serving others in His life as a man on the earth, and He wants us to emulate Him. He made sure He taught His disciples this very important lesson before His crucifixion, because it would have caused a big problem that would have hindered the work He was sending them into the world to accomplish, as they would have been weighed down with a battle for supremacy. The bible records that, at the last supper with His disciples, before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that the time had come that He would depart from this world to the Father, He rose up and laid aside His garments, took a towel, poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:1-15).
Jesus is by far the greatest leader and icon of servitude that ever lived. He served people with all humility. He didn’t oppress or lord it over His followers, instead He served them faithfully. He laid down his crown and royal robe and clothed himself with the garment of a servant. To as many that needed help, He was a helping hand; to those who sat in darkness, He became their light. Those who didn’t seem good enough to come to Him like the adulterous woman, He never casted away. For the blind and lame who couldn’t get to Him, He asked that they be brought to Him and He healed them.
True greatness lies in service to God and humanity and a prerequisite for true servanthood is humility. You cannot be a servant of all except you are humble. Friends, again let us examine ourselves. Are you merely serving others for recognition and to get glory for yourself? Do you really have the heart of a servant? Are you too proud and arrogant to lower yourself to serve others? Are you a husband dominating your wife and children instead of serving and loving them? Are you an oppressive and abusive employer, terrorizing your employees instead of building them up? Are you a pastor of a congregation or Christian youth group leader looking to be served by your subjects instead of pouring out yourself in service to them?
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love” (Gal 5:13).
Oh Lord, transform us into your likeness, help us to truly serve others like you! Amen.
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