This week’s devotions are based on Week 2 of Cross Examined: Who is the Greatest? (LISTEN HERE)
An attitude of humility leads to actions of service.
Back to Jesus’ response to the disciples arguing about who is the greatest and he responds:
Luke 22:26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
Jesus lays out the common paradigm. If you are seated at the table eating, you have greater status than the people preparing and serving the meal. Servitude in most if not all cultures is seen as a “lesser” status than being served. Greatness is often measured by the number of servants one has or how many workers you have doing things for you.
But Jesus again changes the paradigm. None of his disciples would argue that Jesus wasn’t great. However, Jesus says, “I am among you as one who serves.”
God himself, the one who deserves the whole world to serve him instead decides that he is going to serve the whole world.
Greatness in God’s kingdom would be defined by serving others. This was not a new concept for the disciples as Jesus had to teach them on another occasion where James and John got their mother involved to get them prominent positions of power in Jesus kingdom. Here’s how that went:
Matthew 20:20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21 “What is it you want?” he asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
“We can,” they answered.
23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”
24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
One could excuse a proud mother from asking on behalf of her boys, but we can’t excuse an attitude of pride that is unwilling to serve others.
It wasn’t just James and John, but the group of disciples were indignant with them, probably because they were mad they asked for these positions before them.
Jesus doesn’t let it stand, but rather again changes the paradigm for them and us.
Greatness comes through service. Jesus came to serve and gave the ultimate sacrifice for us. As he has served us, we now get to be the servants of others. We begin to see people around us as opportunities to serve instead of opportunities to be served. We begin to see our greatness in life comes through the people we help and assist. We are reflecting the love of Christ when we share that love with others.
Serving others. It’s just what great people do!
Apply: Look for opportunities today to serve others…even if it is inconvenient!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for my pride that seeks to be served instead of serve others. As you have served me, empower and lead me to serve others today and always. AMEN