Jesus Was a Servant
“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). Perhaps the most radical part of Jesus’ identity is that He came to be a servant. The last thing that most of us naturally want to do in our relationships is serve one another. Instead, we seek to control. From a young age we learn how to get what we want. We admire those who know how to finesse people, manage circumstances, and control outcomes. Politics is the art of controlling others.
Jesus’ enemies knew that He was not a politician. The Herodians said to Jesus, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men” (Matthew 22:16). Jesus wouldn’t play the political games of manipulation; He just said what needed to be said. In so doing, He truly served their best interests because He told them what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear. Are we open to hearing what we need to hear?
Jesus said in Mark 10:42-44: “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.” Human pride does not desire to serve, but to “exercise authority.” Pride is the biggest obstacle to being a servant. Are we open to being a servant by killing our pride? God bless you and I love you.