For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (NIV) Mark 10:45
Jesus is in his final week on earth. The first 3 days of the week were very active for Him, but now He spends the bulk of His time with His disciples. There’s nothing recorded about what He did on Wednesday. On Thursday He and His disciples are celebrating the Passover meal in an upper room in Jerusalem. The episode that follows is an incredible example of 2 extremes in behavior. . .
. . . a dispute arose among them (the disciples) as to which of them was considered to be greatest. (Luke 22:24)
. . . Jesus said to them, “the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” (Luke 22:26)
. . . so he (Jesus) got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:4-5)
While the disciples were arguing about who would get top spot, Jesus picked up a towel! The Creator of the universe, Almighty God, the Alpha and Omega, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords picked up a towel! If anyone deserved to be the greatest, to be served, it was Jesus. And yet, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (NIV Mark 10:45)
And we are to follow Jesus’ example. He told us that: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:15-17)
Who do you think of first? yourself? or others? Do you seek to be served or to serve? Is your attitude like that of Jesus, always thinking of others ahead of Himself? Jesus was truly a sacrificial servant. . . giving up His life so that we could spend eternity with Him. Is it too much to ask to try to model His example of servanthood in our lives today? Keep your eyes on Him. . . keep your eyes on the cross. . . and you’ll find that serving in the name of Jesus, serving like Jesus, is a joy!
Learn more about a relationship with Jesus
