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 20:26-28 (NIV)
Servanthood is ignited by the agape love of Christ. Once touched by His love, we are compelled to pass it on, to do onto others as was done onto us
2 Corinthians 5:14-15, For the love of Christ controls us [hems us in, directs us, compels us], because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
Servanthood is not the first thing a new Christian jumps into. Most pastors will testify how difficult it is to get their flock to do something. Perhaps its a church culture which believes that Christianity consists of going to church. Maybe it’s our churches designed like theaters where folks go to watch and be entertained.
Perhaps it’s that immature believers have simply not had enough exposure to scripture which clearly calls us into action.
Perhaps it is because prior to our conversion we lived life as lone rangers. Servanthood involves personal involvement with people, up close and personal. And “up close” can be messy involving physical, emotional, and spiritual need. Things we don’t like to talk about, much less be willing to address.
Perhaps it is because we don’t think servants are important. They handle jobs we just as soon not even know about. Consider where the needs are: nursing homes (where we are all afraid of ending up), prisons (where most of us fear we really deserve to be), third-world countries (where there but for the grace of God I would have been born).
But servanthood doesn’t always call us to unaccustomed environs. It takes a servant to show kindness to the most arrogant, spiteful, proud, and rude people you can imagine – often those with whom we must work, sit beside in class, or have as family members.
Perhaps we don’t serve because we lack the proper perspective, Christ’s perspective. To gain the perspective of Christ is a difficult mental and attitudinal switch, but it must be done. We must stop basing our decisions to serve others on what we think or how we “feel,” and, instead start basing our decisions for serving on obedience to Scripture and following the example of Christ.
Perhaps we don’t serve, because we are not sufficiently in Christ. If we live in Him we “can do all things through him (Christ) who strengthens” us.
There is no lack of need, no lack of opportunity. Move into Christ and begin to measure your maturity not by the scriptures you’ve memorized, the teachings you’ve heard or the money you’ve given, but by the people you’ve served.
Serve and Be blessed.
Nick
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