A True Servant, Part 2

“Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, ‘What do you wish?’ She said to Him, ‘Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.’ But Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able.’ He said to them, ‘My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.’

And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’” Matthew 20:20-28

Allow Jesus’ clear words to penetrate your heart and mind.

“...whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:26-28).

“But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Matt. 23:11-12).

Be careful lest you keep your selfish way of thinking and serve here and now - only to be honored and be served later. God is looking for disciples who have an honest servant’s heart - one who serves out of loyalty and joyful obedience to the will of the Father.

Our best illustration of a true servant can be found in the life of Christ. We are admonished to follow His pattern. That means I must be willing to serve without recognition and without expectation of any return.

Why this emphasis on servanthood? It’s the lifestyle of those in God’s kingdom. Is it yours? We need now more than ever before to set our hearts and minds on Jesus' teaching on servanthood.