Jesus made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant (Phil 2:7)
“From everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more (Luke 12:48)
At the center of the mind of Chirst is the servant mind. We have difficulty understanding the real meaning of servanthood. Many Christians are more concerned with the provision of privileges and personal rights than the joy of service.
Two Reasons for Servanthood
First, it is a command. Phil 2:7 tells us to think like Jesus, who “took upon him the form of a servant”. We are to think like a servant.
A second reason we should be a servant is because Jesus is our model. We become like Christ. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet before the Lord’ supper. Then He told them: “If I then the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave an example that you also should do as I did to you” (John 13:14-15). Jesus was not as interested in clean feet as He was in the disciples assuming servant roles.
God does not need our service. He does not need anything – our talent, our intelligence, our money, or our service.
“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Luke 16:13)
Serving God and Others
Unlike the world’s system, in Christ’s kingdom servanthood is the key to greatness, not position or influence. Jesus explained Kingdom greatness:
Matt 20:25-28
You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Greatness coming through lowly servanthood is beyond our comprehension. This part of Jesus’ teaching has not become a part of the attitude of most Christians. The last will be first, the least will be the greatest, and the servant will be highly regarded.
We serve God because He is supreme. He is the sovereign Ruler of the universe. We serve, not out of a selfish desire to become great, but because God loves us and commands us to love one another. Love serves others by meeting needs.
“From everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more (Luke 12:48)
At the center of the mind of Chirst is the servant mind. We have difficulty understanding the real meaning of servanthood. Many Christians are more concerned with the provision of privileges and personal rights than the joy of service.
Two Reasons for Servanthood
First, it is a command. Phil 2:7 tells us to think like Jesus, who “took upon him the form of a servant”. We are to think like a servant.
A second reason we should be a servant is because Jesus is our model. We become like Christ. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet before the Lord’ supper. Then He told them: “If I then the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave an example that you also should do as I did to you” (John 13:14-15). Jesus was not as interested in clean feet as He was in the disciples assuming servant roles.
God does not need our service. He does not need anything – our talent, our intelligence, our money, or our service.
“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Luke 16:13)
Serving God and Others
Unlike the world’s system, in Christ’s kingdom servanthood is the key to greatness, not position or influence. Jesus explained Kingdom greatness:
Matt 20:25-28
You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Greatness coming through lowly servanthood is beyond our comprehension. This part of Jesus’ teaching has not become a part of the attitude of most Christians. The last will be first, the least will be the greatest, and the servant will be highly regarded.
We serve God because He is supreme. He is the sovereign Ruler of the universe. We serve, not out of a selfish desire to become great, but because God loves us and commands us to love one another. Love serves others by meeting needs.
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