Serving

Matthew 20
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."

How important do we think we are? Do we think the world hinges on our leadership? Do we serve or wait to be served? Do we think we are "Super Christians" and should be given special homage or respect? Do we think the whole world revolves around me, mine and ours? Do we think we are the "greatest?"

Jesus told James and John that the greatest is the servant not the served, the humble not the proud, the ones willing to take up our cross and follow his example of servant hood. Jesus touched the untouchables, the sick, the lame, the leper, the prostitute, the Samaritan woman and so should we. Jesus knelt like a servant and washed the disciples dirty feet, and so should we. Jesus fed the hungry and gave water to the thirsty, and so should we.

As the children of Jesus, who came to die for us, we should remember He came to serve the whole world and if we are His children so should we. We are royal, for we are children of the King, we will reign in glory throughout eternity but in this brief moment of our lives we should be like our LORD and Savior and remember the leader leads by example and when we follow our Leader, we serve. We touch the unclean, we feed the hungry, we share the Living Water with the thirsty.

When I think of being a servant and doing it for love the Lord, I remember a sweet and precious lady, Neenie Stuart. She spent her days taking care of her husband, sister and family in sweetness and humility. She never said anything bad about a single person and she always had time for us as children. The church was one of her places of service, but the people around her were her ministry. Her health was not good and often it was a struggle to make it through the day, but it was spent in service to her Lord and others.

This is how we should be - humble but proud, serving others not asking for service, kind, gentle but strong. Her love was boundless it seemed and we loved her, cherished her and know she is with her Father.

Lord, give us the wisdom to know if we want to be great in your Kingdom, we must be your servant here on earth. Give us your eyes to see our false pride, give us your ears to hear the cries of those around us who need tending in your Name.

Amen and amen