A Disciple of Jesus … is Servant-Hearted
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be servant-hearted. When Jesus was teaching His disciples how they could become great in the Kingdom of God, He said the following:
"Among the heathen, the kings are tyrants and each minor official lords it over those who are lower down the chain of command, but among you it is quite different. Anyone wanting to be a leader among you must be your servant; and, if you want to be right at the top, you must serve like a slave. Your attitude must be like My own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:42-45.)
One way in which Jesus demonstrated this servant-hearted attitude was by washing the disciples' feet (see John 13). Imagine looking down and seeing Jesus on the floor, kneeling before you, washing your feet. How would you feel? Would you feel uncomfortable, perhaps even outraged? Would you protest? Would you want to lift Jesus up and put Him back on His throne where He belongs? In New Testament times it was customary for visitors to have their feet washed, having come in from the dusty roads, but this menial task would be expected to be done, not by the master of the house, but by the lowliest servant.
Of course, Jesus' taking on the role of a servant went far beyond washing feet. Philippians 2:6-8 reminds us that Jesus left the splendour of heaven, limited Himself to the confines of a human body, and willingly allowed Himself to die on a cross of shame.
Imagine Peter's discomfort and consternation as he looked down on Jesus kneeling at his feet, performing the lowliest of tasks. Jesus shouldn't be down there in the dust doing the work of a slave. He should be raised up high, sitting on a throne, ruling the nations. Indeed, He has now been exalted to the highest place (Philippians 2:9-11), but only because He first stooped to serve us in sacrificial love.
Are we willing to follow Jesus' example? We might feel that we are called to a platform ministry, but does that mean that cleaning the church toilets is beneath our dignity? Do we want to hold on to a sense of entitlement and privilege, or are we eager to prefer to honour others?
Some years ago, Jimmy and Carol Owens wrote this simple song which captures the desire of a disciple to want to emulate the servant-heartedness which so characterised the life and ministry of Jesus.
Lord, make me like You, please make me like You;
You are a servant: make me one too.
Oh, Lord, I am willing; do what You must do
To make me like You, Lord: please make me like You.
Whatever You do, Lord, please make me like You.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, the way You express Your love to us is breath-taking. In lowering Yourself to serve us, You raise us up to far more than we could be without You. You lift us up to heights that we could never otherwise reach. Sometimes, we find it so difficult to accept, and so difficult to model in the way we treat others. Please forgive us, Lord, and change our hearts so that they become more like Your heart, overflowing with Your love and kindness and humility, so that we can become the servants that You call us to be. For Your name's sake and for Your glory. Amen!
