And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
– Luke 22:24-27
We continue in this series of Practical Christianity, with the goal of looking to the life of Jesus to observe patterns or habits we might also apply to our own lives. Again this week we focus not on something we traditionally think of as a Christian practice like worship or prayer, but rather on something that clearly was thematic for Jesus’ life. That is the value of service. Jesus made it unmistakably clear when he said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). His entire life on earth was a gift of service to humanity.
What is Service?
We observe the action of serving in a variety of ways. The person who cares for you and brings your food at a restaurant is your server. In any sport where there is a volley (tennis, volleyball, etc.), the action begins with a serve. Those who offer their life in the military or in politics are said to serve. Jury duty is one of the greatest acts of service you can provide to your society. The thread that is common among all these examples is that somethings starts with one party and is offered to another. It may be a ball, our time, our resources, even our very life. To serve is to say, “I have it, but I am giving it to you.”
What did service look like for Jesus?
We can see the servant’s heart active in Jesus’ life. It shows in the willingness to be interrupted by two blind men sitting along the road (Matthew 20:30-32), or allowing children to have time in his busy life (Luke 18:16). Serving means being willing to go to whatever villages necessary to bring good news to people (Mark 1:38-39). Serving means uncertainty and inconvenience, like not having “a place to lay your head” (Luke 9:38).
Why did Jesus serve?
(Mark 1:41) Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and *said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
(Matthew 14:14) When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.
(Matthew 15:32) And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat;
(Matthew 20:34) Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.
(Luke 7:12-14) Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.” And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!”
When the heart isn’t in it.
Remember the scene from The Chosen where Big James and John had to clean up a field, but complained because they didn’t comprehend why. Good lesson on having the heart of attitude of service.
Not long ago I found myself lacking in this way. A need was put before me, and although I did respond, I didn’t want to. It had a few of the common hallmarks of service opportunities: inconvenience, unpleasantness. Even while I worked with my hands, the Lord worked on my heart. Some would want to credit me for taking action regardless, but the fact is I did not have the heart nor the mind of Christ. And when that is the case, I will not respond to the world around me in the same way Jesus did.
The Cross
Where would we be if Jesus did not have the attitude of service? We would be without a savior, hopelessly alienated from God in our sin and rebellion.
As we approach the season of Lent, we are reminded of perhaps the most powerful example of service Jesus offered before going to the cross. In his last evening with his closest friends, this is what he did:
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.”
– John 13:3-5
(Colossians 3:12) “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion…” According to God’s grace, may it be so for us. Amen.
The Winding Path 