Simply Serving (2)

'Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.' Mark 10:43 NKJV

 

Being a servant is one of the hardest things to become as a believer. Take Pontius Pilate for example: he an opportunity to acquit Jesus of any wrongdoing, but instead he called for a basin and washed his hands of the entire matter. His attitude was, 'I'm not getting involved.' A lot of people have that same attitude.

But not Jesus. The night before His death He called for a basin of water and washed His disciple's feet. He taught them: 'Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.' (Mark 10:42-43 NKJV) Peter objected because foot-washing was a duty designated to the lowest servant in Middle Eastern households, and he considered it beneath Christ's dignity.

Look what Catherine Marshall writes: 'We, the disciples, are to be the servants, I want to insist along with Peter. But Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." (John 13:8 NKJV) This is a stunning and stupendous thought. Unless I can believe in this much love for me, unless I can and will accept Him by faith as my servant as well as my God, unless I can truly know that it's my good He seeks... then I cannot have His companionship.'

This is so contrary to the world's philosophy where everybody wants to lead and nobody wants to serve. But to be like Jesus is to be a servant, for that's what He called Himself. Never have goals so lofty that they blind you to the needs of those around you. Without a servant's heart, you'll be tempted to use your gift for personal gain, or to exempt yourself from areas you consider beneath you. The truth is, the only way to serve God is by serving those He loves.
You are loved!