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 20:20 – 28)
God’s view of the importance of service, the motivation for service, and the manifestation of service does not align with the world’s view. The table below presents a comparison of two views:
| God’s View | World’s View |
| Seek to serve | Seek to be served |
| Making an impact | Making an impression |
| Self-denial and humility | Self-promotion and false-humility |
| Energy comes from God’s overflow | Energy comes from self-discipline |
| Our Significance – Who we are in Christ | Our Significance – The praise of others |
| Eternal glory | Temporal gain |
Please prayerfully reflect on the Bible passages above.
Something to think about:
What have you found to be particularly difficult with a lifestyle of service and how does God’s view of service help?
March 13, 2018 at 4:45 am
A lifestyle of service is not usually difficult for me. However, every now and again, there is someone I want to “serve”, but I hesitate because they have done something that annoys me. Also, there have been situations where I have “served” someone and then regretted it.
In situations like those, I usually have to remind myself that it is not about me, it is not about them, it’s really about being obedient to God through the act of service.
March 13, 2018 at 6:59 am
At first it may seem hard to live a life of service. Once you realize that God isn’t giving credit based on the size and frequency of these gestures but with our obedience and heart it becomes easier. There are many ways to serve. A smile to the appointed person at the right time could be exactly how God wants us to serve someone today.
March 13, 2018 at 8:27 am
Though I enjoy serving, a difficulty I’ve had recently is making time. I get so caught up in work or just resting after that I forget there’s more I’m meant to do than just work and sleep! However, God’s view of service is not to view service as a sacrifice of time, but a blessing to yourself and others. I hope to adjust my view in this way!
March 13, 2018 at 2:09 pm
Based on the table significance jumps out at me. While I say I don’t seek it I know how gratified I feel when I get the praise of others and how I feel when I don’t. I was reminded recently that in God’s eyes I’m highly esteemed because I’m his. That’s sometimes difficult to remember because people are “front and centre” and God is a spiritual Person. So it calls for me to remind myself often of that fact.
March 13, 2018 at 2:17 pm
I have been serving people all my life ,especially my family siblings etc and others but sometimes I am criticized as being a door mat or a “glutton for punishment”.So happy to know that I am doing Gods work.
March 13, 2018 at 8:32 pm
” To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction’. Newton’s third law of motion. This is certainly not the way to view Godly Service. True service results from being obedient to God. Whatever i do, i have no expectations.
March 14, 2018 at 8:58 pm
Characteristically, serving people is what I’ve done/known all my life and I enjoy serving others whether as a professional teacher or in other spheres of life. What I have found to be particularly difficult is realizing that one of these days I may experience what I have observed happen to so many people who expended all their energy and spent all their time serving and then end up like Boxer in Animal Farm! That’s why God’s view of service helps me tremendously!