What Position Should We Desire? Jesus Christ teachers us that there is a certain position that we should seek after. We should desire to be great among others. But being great among our brethren and among our fellow human beings isn't done the way that the world thinks it is done. God sees greatness differently than we do. Matthew 20:25-28 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Vs 26: "servant" / "minister" diakonos probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands); an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess):— deacon, minister, servant. Vs 27: "slave" / "servant" doulos a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency):— bond(-man), servant. Vs 28: "to serve" / "to minister" diakoneo to be an attendant, i.e. wait upon (menially or as a host, friend, or (figuratively) teacher); technically, to act as a Christian deacon:— (ad-)minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon. What does it mean to serve? What does it mean to be a servant? What opportunities are we given to serve in the Church of God? Are we searching for ways to serve or are we waiting to be asked? How do we react when we are asked or told to serve in a certain way? What if we don't like what we are given to do, or we think we are capable of more, or we are too good for a certain task? What examples have we seen in the past of people who have served? In the Church? In our communities? In our own families? In the Bible?
Abraham's Servant This man was an amazing example of a servant. He was given responsibility over all of Abraham's possessions. At a certain point this man was probably going to inherit everything from Abraham if Isaac wasn't going to be born. He didn't end up inheriting anything, at least not that we read about in scripture. But he wasn't bitter over the fact that he had worked hard and been left with nothing. He remained a faithful, trusted servant to Abraham. Genesis 16:2-4 2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” Genesis 24:1-2 1 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had,... This servant didn't think about what was good for himself. He didn't think about opportunities that others had that he didn't get. Nor did he care which position he had in Abraham's house. There are times when we want to serve, but maybe we have in mind a certain way of serving. there are some who ask their pastor about traveling to different congregations to serve. This sound like a very good thing to do. But instead of asking how they can be of help, they tell the pastor, "If you ever need me to speak, just let me know." The job we have in mind to do isn't always the job that needs doing. There are plenty of ways to serve in God's Church that don't place us up in front of everyone. What is the ultimate example of a servant? The life of Jesus Christ. Christ wasn't always wanting to be front and center. He actually always followed orders from His superior, God the Father. He was willing to do whatever needed to be done to accomplish His Father's plans.
Luke 22:39-42 39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” In His darkest moments, Christ wasn't worried about being in the best position among His peers. He was concerned about the wellbeing of His friends, His disciples. He was concerned about the fate of all of mankind. And above that, Christ was concerned about doing the will of His Heavenly Father. The pain and anticipation of the suffering He felt in the moment He knew was only temporary. He also knew there was no other way to bring salvation to mankind than for Him to be the perfect sacrifice. We need to change how we think about serving. Philippians 2:5-8; 25-30 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. Matthew 23:1-12 Hebrews 5:4-8