Servant of All

I just returned from a short stint away from my office in sunny Cape May, New Jersey. I had a great time "down the shore" with Laurie and the children. I was especially blessed to be able to preach at our sister church in Cape May the past weekend.

About an hour after sitting down at my desk this morning I looked up and saw this sign (see picture) on the inside of my door. The sign reads "Servant's Entrance". Now, I know who to thank for adding this tremendous reminder to my office. In fact, I've spoken at length to this gentleman several times about the great responsibilities of serving the Lord in full-time ministry. This sign is a visual cue to me that every time I walk through that door back out into the church or the community I am going as a servant of Jesus Christ.

In Mark 10, Jesus gives a real lesson on true greatness and leadership. He told a group of twelve quibbling disciples:

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 be be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:42b-45

Jesus Christ came as a servant. I hope you don't miss the significance and the irony of this. Jesus is a radically different sort of leader than anything we know. Instead of demanding attention, Jesus demonstrated true humility. Even though Jesus is preeminent among all things (Colossians 1:15-20), He lovingly and sacrificially stepped into the world He created and laid His life down for our redemption. Jesus taught us and demonstrated for us the pathway to real influence. It is the lonely road of servitude.

May the Lord continue to teach us what it means to be a real servant of the kingdom.