The Greatness in Serving

Verse of the day: Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

What does it take to be a great servant of Christ? The disciples, even though they walked with Jesus, had a skewed view of what it meant to be elevated in the Kingdom of God. John and James’ mother went to Jesus requesting that they be given a position of importance in the Kingdom. The request was made out of pride, and the other disciples in hearing what was requested became angry with John and James. It was plain to see from their request, and desire, to be placed in a position of importance that they had no clue what it really took to be considered great before God. Sadly, even today we see people who elevate themselves in ministry, filled with pride, vanity, and false ambition. They walk into a room and expect people to look up to them, admire them, and even bow to them. The “name it, claim it” bunch that use the Word of God for their own profit and elevation. Unfortunately, too many followers of these people, who equate outward success as success in the Kingdom and being “blessed” by God, lead those who have been called to suffer for the cause of Christ to think that they are doing something wrong because God is not “blessing” them in the same way. The Apostle Paul, who was one of the greatest missionaries (outside of Jesus), was called to suffer for the cause of Christ (Acts 9:15-17). The Apostle recognized that his suffering here on earth was nothing compared to the glory that was to come for his humble service to the Lord (Rom 8:17-18). Jesus, in response to John and James’ request, quickly steered their thinking of being elevated in the Kingdom to the fact that they would need to suffer, which they were not mindful of when they made their request. James was martyred, and John, after much suffering, was exiled on the Island of Patmos (Acts 12:2; Rev 1:9). As God’s servants, it is okay to look ahead to our rewards, but we must also realize that those rewards may require much suffering on our part (Mt 5:11-12), and we must also realize that it involves serving God, and others, in humility. Jesus reminded them that the world’s view of greatness had to do with people being lorded over by those that are placed in positions of “importance” and “greatness”. It usually ends up with those who have been elevated looking down on those that they do not consider their equal, because they do not have the same material things or status in society. Let us not forget that it was pride that was Satan’s downfall. The two who asked to be elevated were the same two who asked Jesus, in anger, if He was going to rain fire down from heaven on the Samaritan village that refused to receive Him. Jesus’ rebuked them and told them that did not know in what manner of spirit they were asking that (Luke 9:50-56). In serving God, and seeking greatness, we must seek success and greatness based on what God considers successful and great. Even Jesus washed the feet of the disciples; yes, even the one that would betray Him (Jn 13:11-17). Serving God and serving others in humility is what the Lord seeks from us. Whether or not we receive or gain material wealth and success here on earth is for the Lord to decide and bless us with, if it is part of His plan for our lives. We must keep in mind that whatever God allows us to have here, whether much or little; we are called to be good stewards. Jesus ultimately gave them the answer to greatness. He reminded them that He, the Lord, even though He was Master, came to serve, and not be served, even to lay down His life for us. The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus was the Great Servant whose example of humility was to be followed (Phil 2:5-11). The bottom line is that greatness before God has to do with submission to God and His Word. A willingness to submit to whatever suffering He calls us to, knowing that our greatest reward may not come in the form of elevated position or wealth here on earth; but is secured for us when we stand before the Lord to receive the rewards we gain when we serve Him here in humility, submitting ourselves to His will and plan for our lives.

Jesus came here to lay down His life in the ultimate example of servitude. God promised that if we believe and call upon His Son, Jesus, for eternal life, He will save us and we will spend eternity with Him (Rom 6:23; 10:13). Repent, confess your sins, and be saved. Receive Him and His free gift of salvation today.