I came to Serve!

I came to Serve!

Have you ever lived life with this thought in mind: “what can I get out of this?”  Have you ever come to church, your family, or your career with that mindset? I think we all have at times! There is a little story in the book of Matthew of some of Jesus’ disciples who had that very same thought:

20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked.

She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

22 But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”

“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

23 Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Matthew 20:20-28

Jesus, the Son of God, said that He came not to be served - not for what people could do for Him - but to serve! Wow. Check out what Philippians 2:3-11 says: 

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God,

    he did not think of equality with God

    as something to cling to.

7 

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

    he took the humble position of a slave

    and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

8 

    he humbled himself in obedience to God

    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor

    and gave him the name above all other names,

10 

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 

and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father.

This is the very attitude and mindset of Jesus, and we are instructed to have the same attitude about it! But so many times, we ask God to honor us without wanting to do what will bring His honor. Humility must come first! Jesus was our ultimate example in how to live our life and view relationships. So instead of living life for what we can get out of it, let’s start thinking about what we can give! This is the way to truly be satisfied. Make a decision today - and everyday- to follow Jesus’ example and say, “I came to serve!”