Just a Thought: Being of servant mindset is counter to our human nature. The disciples really wrestled with this concept. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. They could only think of who the greatest in the kingdom would be. The disciples were convinced (by themselves) Jesus had come to establish an earthly kingdom. To overthrow Rome and, they were all going to be key leaders in this kingdom. What they didn’t get was, Jesus hadn’t come to establish an earthly kingdom yet. He came as Savior, not king. He came to be king of men’s hearts not of Israel. Now, don’t be confused like they were. He is coming back! And He will then establish an earthly kingdom where He will sit upon the throne of David and rule the world. But the model He came to lay out for us in His first coming was to be humble and serve rather than have power and rule. If anyone had the right and the power to rule on earth, it was Jesus. He was God in the flesh. He was the creator of every man. Disease, death, the devil, demons and nature all had to obey His voice. Yet He came as a humble servant. And He came to teach us to serve one another like He served. How absolutely mind blowing it must have been when Jesus interrupted the disciple’s argument over their personal greatness by taking on the lowly servants role and washing their feet! They just didn’t get it! And, unfortunately many of us still don’t either. Paul explains it like this, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:.. [who] …made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,…” (Phil 2:5, 7) Jesus literally emptied Himself of self will, selfish ambition, and self interest. He humbled Himself to obedience to the Father (with whom He was equal) and served the Father and others. Being of servant mindset is counter to our human nature. It was for the disciples then. And, it still is for many of us today. But, this is the way we look most like Jesus. When we empty ourselves of self and humble ourselves to obedience of the Father and serve others. What acts of selfless service will you give to the Lord and others today? We can be as different as Jesus was if we will take on His attitude and live to serve. This is completely contrary to our flesh nature so, we must be Spirit led and Spirit filled to pull it off. (Gal. 5:16) So, let’s decide to be spirit filled servants like Jesus today and obey the Father and serve others. Lord, may others see Jesus in me as I live and serve as Jesus did for Your glory each day. In Jesus name, amen.
