20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” 22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. 23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”
24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 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.” (Matthew 10:20-28)
With more than half of our journey complete, we have been able to observe Jesus as our perfect example in the practice of the Disciplines of Bible Study, Prayer, Fasting, Worship, Fellowship and Creation.
Today, we turn our attention to the Discipline of Service. Here again we should strive to “Be like Jesus”. He set the bar for service so high that there is no way we can meet that standard without the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has a servant’s heart! If we don’t allow him to reign in our lives we find it very easy to seek to be served rather than to serve.
Please carefully read the passage above and answer the questions below.
Today’s Questions:
- Based on the passage, what was the priority of service in the life of Jesus and how does this compare to the priorities in your life?
- What are possible differences between performing acts of service and having a servant’s heart?
March 7, 2016 at 9:40 am
Jesus’ priority was to meet the need. When the woman asked for a favor Jesus responded “What is it you want”, that’s so unlike what many of us ask when we’re asked for a favor. The typical response is “that depends, tell me and I’ll see, maybe, maybe not” and the list goes on. Jesus did set the bar high for service, and I’m not saying that i’m close to the top, but because by nature I like helping and one of my spiritual gift is ‘helps’, serving others is usually high up on my priority. Anyone can perform acts of service for various reasons. To make themselves look good, to assuage their feelings, for praise from others. A person who can empathise with others in need and seek to help them without recognition, without being praised, who makes sacrifices for others, to me is one who has a servants heart.
March 7, 2016 at 11:00 am
Jesus’ highest priority of service was to give his life as a ransom for many. One cannot ask for more than that. While Jesus’ giving of his life was literal, he calls us to give our lives as well in service to others. We are prepared to give but not all the time are we prepared to give sacrificially. I know it’s something I have to remind myself often.
March 7, 2016 at 3:29 pm
Jesus came to exemplify a true servant even though He is th son of God.
But we have difficulties distinguishing service from servant and if the Lord says that the greatest amongst us needs to become a servant first, then that is a serious thing for us to consider and imbibe.
There is no greater sacrifice than laying your life down for your friends, sinners and sundry.Ans certainly Christ is not calling us to the same now, but need to sacrifice with our talent, resources , time, etc to promote Him on earth and thereby enlarging His coast.
May God give us the wisdom to differentiate between servant and service in his vineyard.
Amen.
Daniel.
March 8, 2016 at 7:11 am
Jesus showed us a good example of how it is to be a humble servant. Honestly, I only became aware of how to seve the Lord after becoming a born again Christian. Before, I thought going to church, attending mass, and doing devotions to Mary and other Catholic saints are enough for me to grow and practice my faith. After I renewed my faith with Jesus (when I was a young mother in Japan), life changed for me. My relationship with the Lord made me understood what really is important in life. I’ve learned as I mature in my faith that my relationship with the Lord will not grow if I don’t humble myself and start serving the Lord by using the gifts He gave me.It’s amazing feeling to be of service to the Lord, like for example I taught in kids’ Sunday school in my church in Japan. I also joined in the choir in Japan and in my church in the States when we were posted there. In other countries I’ve lived I try to help even just for some days in church programs like volunteer to assist the kids in vacation bible study or help in any way in some women’s ministries of the church or bible study groups I have. I think the Lord is helping me find ways to serve Him through my involvement in the church and fellowship with women and other members of the church. Since I love cooking and entertaining people at my home, Ifeel I am using that gift as well to serve the Lord. I think we should use every opportunity we have, be it big or small to serve the Lord wherever we are and whatever we do. God is putting us in a place where He wants us to grow, become strong in our faith and reliance to Him , and more importantly to use our gifts to bless others.