Servant Of All
‘And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”’
Mark 9:35
Jesus had to have a teaching moment with the disciples. When the Scriptures say that He sat down, it meant business. Jesus had something important to say.
The disciples where disputing among themselves who would be the greatest. Jesus could have easily said He was the greatest but He didn’t. Jesus never put attention upon Himself.
Jesus wanted to teach them the importance of servanthood. He was actually giving a challenge. And the challenge is for us as well.
In the world, a man of great power is distinguished by how many servants he has serving him. But Jesus taught them to be servants to others. Being last and least of all was a choice.
It’s easy to get caught up in the world system of power and recognition. Some would even call it egotistical. A person can get so caught up in being served and honored that he/she loses the sense of being humble.
Jesus was not abolishing ambition. He was simply challenging the disciples to be self-controlled servants. To recognize others as equally important and to never look down on another person as being lesser of a person.
Do you view yourself as a servant? Take a moment today and do something for someone else that shows you know how to be a servant. Pick up someone’s trash. Step aside and let someone go before you while in line. Or maybe go a step further and look around for someone who is in need and supply their need. Be careful though, it may cost you something of great value!
True servanthood will cost you something. Make it count.
Pray
Lord, help me to recognize others as equally important. Help me to never look down on someone else as lesser of a person. Let someone come into my path that needs something I can offer them.
