Our scripture this morning is Matthew 20:25-28.
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus warns that power and control are not what the children of God should seek. Earlier in this chapter the mother of James and John asks that her sons be seated at Jesus’ right and left hands. He tells her “to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father” (Matthew 20:23). We don’t get to determine our place in the kingdom, only God does.
In the kingdom of God the organizational chart is pretty flat: God -> everyone else. Jesus shows that in His humanness He is not above serving by washing the feet of His disciples (John 13:4). Serving one another is a hallmark of our faith and we must follow the example Jesus has given us.
Someone once suggested that if the cross were not the symbol of our faith, the basin and towel would be a suitable replacement, showing the world why we are here. Jesus told us “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. We are to follow in faith, content with our position to help wash the world.
Loving Lord, help us to see that by serving the world, we serve You. Bless us to be energetic servants, loving Your children because You loved us first. Amen.
