Yes, for the purists, that’s not what He meant. At least I don’t think so – context, context, context. But Jesus did talk quite a bit about serving, and indicated it should be important His followers as well.
The gospels tell about a selfish dispute Jesus’ disciples were having and the humbling example Jesus used to change their perspective:
“They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’ He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me’” (Mark 9:33-37).
In the Our Daily Bread devotional, Sheridan Voysey provided insight on the term, “welcome.” He wrote, “To ‘welcome’ someone in Jewish culture meant to serve them, the way a host welcomes a guest. Since children were to serve adults and not be served, the idea must’ve been shocking. Jesus’ point? True greatness resides in serving the smallest and lowliest.”
So in this passage, Jesus was being countercultural, bestowing honor on a child whom society viewed as a second-class citizen at best. He had a habit of doing that, saying and demonstrating things that caused his listeners to do a double-take, thinking, “Say what?”
Serving I must admit, isn’t an easy thing for me. It’s definitely not my default setting. Service is actually one of the spiritual gifts, and I don’t have it. People with the gift of serving jump up immediately whenever there’s a need. They don’t even need to be asked; they just recognize that something must be done – and they do it. I’m more inclined to rationalize why I don’t have to help. But just because we don’t have the “gift,” that doesn’t excuse us from serving when opportunities present themselves.
In another passage, Jesus observed, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves…. I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:25-27).
This admonition cut against the grain then, and it continues to do so today. People with power, position, wealth and fame typically expect – and receive – deference from people around them. We find this with celebrities, prominent public officials and civic leaders, top executives, big donors to charitable causes, even some pastors.
At times, however, we marvel when people whom society says should be served take on the servant’s role, humbly and graciously tending to the needs of others without fanfare. When that happens, we can’t help but stop and take notice.
I’ve worked for both types of people – some who expected everyone to yield to their demands at all times, and others who consistently demonstrated genuine concern for others. Those were living out the exhortation from Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Even if we haven’t received the spiritual gift of service, there are countless ways we can serve others. It might be volunteering to work in the church nursery; visiting sick people in the hospital or shut-ins in their homes; offering to drive someone to an appointment who doesn’t have transportation; doing simple chores for a neighbor unable to do them for herself; or even simply sending a handwritten note (rare these days) or making a phone call to let someone know they’re loved. A small gesture can make a big difference in one’s day.
Of course, the greatest example of service was Jesus Christ, giving His life on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). We can’t imagine a selfless act of greater magnitude than this.
Jesus foreshadowed this when He told His disciples, as the horrific yet wonderful day drew near, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). His crucifixion wasn’t an accident; it was the ultimate reason He came.
Given this almost incomprehensible example of service, can we do any less? As Jesus said, ”If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Taking up one’s cross – dying to self and setting aside personal interests – isn’t easy. But that’s what the Lord has called us to do. And when we do, in this “all about me” world in which we live, we can become countercultural, too.
