Servant Heart: Serving Like Jesus.

“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 NKJV).

In this powerful verse, Jesus Christ summarized the purpose of his coming to the world. 
Throughout his teaching, he demonstrated love and humility.
He showed us how to love and take care of one another by serving with a humble heart.
That was why he said in Matthew 25:40, whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you did unto me.
 So in essence,  what Jesus said was that, whenever we do good to others, we are doing it to him. Even when we wrong others, it offends God.

Jesus Christ being the only begotten Son of God had every reason to brag about his qualities, capabilities, his miracles and his kingdom, but he did not do that.
He was supposed to be a celebrity in his time, in the worldly sense, but did not bother with that.  Although he was extremely popular because of the great things he did, he remained humble, because his kingdom was not of this world.
He taught with power and authority, and performed miracles. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, raised the dead, delivered those who were demon possessed.
He did not call the paparazzi of his time to come and record his meetings and publish them on social media.
Although we know social media and the paparazzi did not exist at that time, but if they existed, Jesus would not have used them to publicize himself.  He would have invited them in order to cast demons out of some of them, and set them free.

When the disciples were arguing among themselves about who would be the greatest,  he told them that the greatest among them shall be their servant.
“And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”  Mark 9:35 NKJV.
Again, in the gospel of Matthew 23, he said, “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11).
Everything he taught his disciples he showed them with example. He did not just teach and preach, but he exemplified all.
To culminate it all, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples during the last supper, before he was arrested and eventually crucified. What a great Savior!

“So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”  (John 13:12-14 NKJV).
When he finished washing their feet, he encouraged them to do likewise.

Did you know that Jesus washed the feet of Judas Iscariot?
Although he knew that Judas was the one to betray him,  yet he washed his feet.
I don’t know of any preacher or minister who could do that in our present world. To wash the feet of someone you know that he is planning evil against you, would seem almost insane, but Jesus did it, because of love. No wonder he said in Luke 6: 27, “love your enemies, do good to them who hate you”


The Bible says, it is more blessed to give than to receive.
“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”  (Acts 20:35).

Although,  you are not giving because of the reward but you give out of good will and kindness, without grudges, because you are not being compelled to do it.
“So, let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”  (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Also, 1 Corinthians 16:14, tells us,  “Let all that you do be done with love.”

Serving is not only about what we do for others, it includes how we do it,  and the attitude involved. 
There are some people who pretend to serve and give generously but when you observe their countenance at those moments,  you wonder if they are cursing or blessing the people with their ‘act of service.’ It is important to have the heart of a servant, always ready and willing to render service where necessary, with love and humility.

Jesus our Lord and Savior, who is  our greatest example, when he walked on this earth, was concerned about service, caring and providing for all who needed help.
In the gospel of John 4:34, he said his meat was to do the will of the father.
” Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” (John 4:34 KJV).

Jesus Christ remained humble,  he did not boast about anything, his purpose was not to advertise himself or his works. He gave full credit to the father.
The will of the father is love and salvation for the human race. It is because of love that the father sent Jesus to die for us. It is because of love that Jesus agreed to die such a shameful death on the cross, to save us all.
Everything Jesus did reflected selfless act of love and service to humanity.

So, when you serve, do it cheerfully, and selflessly like Jesus, with love in your heart and you will receive a full reward from our heavenly father, who sees everything, and knows your most secret thoughts. May you find joy and fulfillment in rendering service to others, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.