Thursday, January 26, 2023
Can you imagine being one of the apostles sharing the Last Supper with Jesus when he stated that he would be betrayed, suffer, and die? Remember, he is the greatest and smartest man to ever walk the earth. For three years, he was your closest friend. You followed him and gleaned invaluable bits of information, instructing you how to live your life. What question would you first ask him?
Luke 22:24-27
24 Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. 25 Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you shall take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.27 Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.”
The apostles quarreled about rank and who would be more important. While we might view this as ridiculous, keep in mind, the apostles didn’t have the benefit of knowing the whole story. Perhaps if they had, they would have focused on the serious matter at hand, rather than concentrating on trivial things.
Now, Jesus could have gotten angry with the apostles, but he did not. Instead, he chose to use it as a teaching moment to juxtapose the secular world with the Kingdom of God.
God’s Kingdom is an upside-down kingdom, where leaders are servants, the last are first, and humility is exalted. Jesus redefined a great leader—not as one who sits back and is served but as one who serves others.
The way of Jesus is countercultural to the way leadership is viewed by the world. The world looks at the greatness of a leader by how much authority they have.
By humbling yourself and serving others, you are following Jesus’ example. Jesus deserved to be served, but he chose to serve others and give his life for them.
In the Great Conduct, Jesus tells us the way to love your neighbor as yourself is to serve others.
John 13:12-15
12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”
Verse 13 states that Jesus is the apostles’ Lord and Teacher, and we should regard him the same. Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and nothing can take that away. We need to follow his teachings by carrying out his example of sacrificing and humbly serving others.
The Bottom Line: Winning with others is why we are still here.
Questions:
Are you serving other people? What is your motive behind it? Is it to serve them or to benefit in some way?
Why is serving others so important? Did you know that God blessed us to be a blessing to others?
Next Steps:
We can all be leaders. Write out a plan about how you can lead by serving.
Attend GrowthTrack. This is a four-week program that will help you discover your unique gifting and purpose. It will show you how to begin living the fulfilling life God planned for you.
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21 Days of Prayer
Day 18 Focus - To Receive Power (Philippians 2:12-13)
Heavenly Father, thank you for working within me. I am in awe of the changes you make possible in my heart, growing me to love you and others more. I praise you for saving me—for making salvation possible through your Son. Help me to share this gift with others. Teach me to desire what you desire. I trust you to give me the power to do all you ask of me. In Jesus' name, amen.
Today's Parent Prayer
This post was written by Jennifer Macke. Jenn has a son, daughter, granddaughter, and grandson, and she thanks God every day for them. She is enjoying retirement and feels blessed to be writing for LivingItOut. She was raised in an Evangelical Church, but her spiritual life awakened when she started attending CedarCreek.