I have a confession to make. I like being served. I enjoy going to a restaurant with good food and having it served right at my table. I don’t like buffets. I don’t want to spend a lot of money. But I like reasonably priced delightful food brought right to me. I appreciate those who prepared and delivered it. A good dining experience is something I cherish. I don’t believe I deserve to be served. I pay for it. The servers reap the reward of a healthy financial tip. Yes! I enjoy the experience.
I would guess most of us have examples of how we like to be served, from the clerk at our favorite supermarket to a restaurant and on and on. On another note, Paul writes, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8). Jesus, God, laid aside the glory of His deity and took the form of a servant, born as an earthly man. He placed humanity upon His divinity. His obedience and servitude extended to death on the cross, a punishment reserved for slaves and common criminals. We are called to possess an attitude of complete submission to God like that depicted by Christ.
Jesus, addressing his followers, declared, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45). The disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest in Christ’s kingdom. Their jealous spirit was nothing like that of Jesus. He explains that unbelievers may live for themselves, but those who follow Him are to live lives of selfless service, following His example. Jesus died to set all people free from sin and death.
I am not saying it’s wrong to enjoy going out to eat or having a good experience at a grocery store. Not at all. I’m emphasizing that it’s more natural to enjoy being served than to serve. In fact, the true test of a servant is how you respond when you’re treated like one. Think about it. In a culture where we have acknowledged “inalienable rights” (I am so thankful we have done so), it can be challenging to embrace the example and attitude of our Lord as a servant. But this is precisely what we are called to do. We are to serve our spouses, friends, and even enemies. I’m not calling us to embrace unhealthy situations or relationships. The Bible does not mandate this either. I’m challenging us to note our attitude when treated like servants. I, for one, need a whole lot of Jesus to possess his attitude and follow His example. The good news is that I have Him in endless supply through the indwelling of His very Spirit. Lord, help us have your attitude and follow your example. I know He will. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!