Tag: servant of all
Week 12–Day 1–Greatness Through Serving
Scripture reading for March 16: Mark 10:42-45 “And Jesus called them to Him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.””
Among the twelve disciples that Jesus had selected, there arose a dispute among them about who was the greatest of the group. James and John had sought out Jesus and asked Him for seats of honor when He came into His promised kingdom. Jesus stated that they did not know what they were asking. He asked them if they were able to drink the cup that He would drink and be baptized with His baptism? They confidently responded “we are able.” This upset the other disciples and Jesus stepped in with a word of wisdom that applied to them and us all.
Jesus taught them that in the world the Gentile rulers would lord it over those under their authority. They would demand tribute and respect, sometimes using force. But in God’s eternal kingdom, there was a different path to greatness. This path was one of humble service and those desiring greatness in God’s kingdom must become servants, even slaves, of others. Jesus, Himself, although King of kings, by example humbled Himself and took the form of a servant who actually gave His life as a ransom for many! It was because of this, that God highly exalted Him to the highest place. (Philippians 2:9-11)
As first responder, we are called to serve others. According to Jesus, this is a path to greatness in His kingdom! Even the small tasks that we do to help the hurting and weak are noticed by Him and reflect His heart to help the weak and hurting. Let’s remember our Lord’s call to greatness through serving!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Jesus as a humble example of true greatness. Use me as I respond each day to reflect Your humble attitude of a servant to all who need assistance. May I always put You first and others before myself. Open doors for me to share Your serving love. Amen.
Serve now, rule eternally
Scripture reading for July 27th: Luke 22, Psalm 149, Proverbs 25
Luke 22: 25-30 “And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the One Who serves. You are those who have stayed with Me in My trial, and I assign to you, as My Father assigned to Me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.””
God’s ways are different than man’s ways. The disciples were arguing about greatness when Jesus spoke plainly to them. They were to be servants here on earth, taking the lowest place, even in leadership positions. Jesus was their example, having just washed their feet! As they remained faithful to humbly serve God and others, they would receive great reward in Jesus’ kingdom. Jesus promised them places at His table and thrones of judgment in the coming eternal kingdom. God truly does take pleasure in His people who prove their faith by humble service and sacrifice! To them eternal rulership and future glory is promised. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 149:4-5, 9 “For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation. Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.” . . .“to execute on them the judgment written! This is the honor for all His godly ones. Praise the Lord!”
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for not always humbly serving my brothers and sisters here, especially those who consider me their enemy. Give me a servant’s heart through Your indwelling Holy Spirit. Help me to stay true to You and Your example of servanthood. I am in awe that You would promise me the honor of future rulership and greatness as a reward for faithful servanthood! Amen! Praise the Lord!
Proverbs 25:21-22 “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
Greatness through serving!
Scripture reading for January 12th: Mark 9, Psalm 9, Proverbs 9
Mark 9: 33-37 “And they came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another abut who was the greatest. And He sat down and called the twelve. And He said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And He took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in My Name receives Me, and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him Who sent Me.”
Jesus was the Wisdom of God in human flesh. His disciples had been arguing about who of them was the greatest of disciples. Jesus asked them what they had been discussing so energetically, not that He did not know! They kept silent at His question but He answered it for them with a short statement: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” He then picked up a child, considered among the least of that culture. He encouraged them to receive a child in His Name. That act was equivalent of receiving Jesus Himself, and not only that, receiving His Father Who sent Him! That is true greatness–serving the least in Jesus’ Name and for the Father’s glory.
Proverbs 9:9-10 “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Your Son to instruct Your disciples in true greatness. I am seeking to follow Jesus’ teaching and example by applying this wisdom to my life and modeling it for those in my family and in the church. Guide me today into more wisdom and knowledge of how to properly serve each person that I meet or have relationships with. I trust You and seek You today in this time of trouble.
Psalm 9:9-10 “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know Your Name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”
Greatness through serving!
Scripture reading for August 12th: Hosea 14, 2nd Chronicles 26-27, Psalm 61, Matthew 20
Key Scriptures: Matthew 20:25-28 “But Jesus called them to Him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.””
The mother of James and John came to Jesus and requested a special favor. She wanted them to sit on Jesus’ right and left when He came into His kingdom rule. In reply, Jesus asked them if they were able to drink the cup that He would drink? He further told them it was not His prerogative to grant this honor, but His Father. Greatness in God’s sight is being a servant, humble and obedient, even unto death. Jesus, Himself, is our example.
Psalm 61:4 “Let me dwell in Your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of Your wings!” Selah
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the promised reward for those who put their faith in You and seek Your presence and favor. Help me to serve You and others, pleasing to You and honoring You.
2nd Chronicles 26:4-5 “And he (Uzziah) did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.”
A willing servant and bride!
Scripture reading for January 14th: Genesis 24-25, Mark 9, Psalm 4
Key Scriptures: Genesis 24:57-60 “They said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her.” And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.” So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!””
Mark 9:34-35 “But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And He sat down and called the twelve. And He said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
God uses humble servants who willingly go and fulfill His will. Jesus’ disciples were arguing about which one was the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thinking called them to sit down and explained a principle of the kingdom illustrated by Abraham’s servant in going to seek Issac’s bride and illustrated by Rebecca. Abraham’s servant obeyed his master and humbly went to a strange land, depending on God to help him find the bride. The bride simply said, “I will go.” What a blessing was spoken of coming greatness! If you want to be first, be a willing servant.
Faith Confession and prayer: Lord Jesus thank You for these examples of godly men and women and for Your powerful teaching of truth. Help me to keep a servant’s heart as I go out into the world in obedience to your command to call the bride of Christ! Give me those who would respond like Rebecca!
Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Greatness through serving!
Scripture reading for February 21st: Mark 10, Psalms 38, Proverbs 7
Key Scriptures: Mark 10:42-45 “And Jesus called them to Him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
James and John had approached Jesus with a request. They asked if they could be seated on His right and left when Jesus came into His glory. This caused the other disciples to become upset as well. Jesus called them all together and explained what true greatness was in God’s eyes: serving others. In fact, Jesus demonstrated His servant-leadership by giving His life for all mankind’s salvation.
Faith’s confession: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your teaching and example of servant-leadership. I believe true greatness comes by serving others. Give me opportunities to serve others today.
Psalm 38:15 “But for You, O Lord, do I wait; it is You, O Lord my God, who will answer.”
Greatness through Serving
Scripture reading for February 21st: Numbers 14-17, Mark 10
Key Scriptures: Mark 10:41-45 “And Jesus called them to Him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life a a ransom for many.”
Jesus settled a dispute among the disciples about how to obtain seats of honor in the coming kingdom. He explained that the world system exercised authority in a dominating manner. But His followers would humbly serve others. Greatness would come through serving and Jesus, Himself, was going to set the prime example of giving His own life for mankind.
Numbers 14:18-19 “‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’ Please pardon the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, for Egypt until now.””
Prayer: Lord, give me a servant’s heart like Moses and Jesus, willing to serve others with my life. Amen.