Here’s a thought: Our relationship with Jesus should motivate us to serve!
Today – Let’s look at 2 brothers… James and John, the two sons of Zebedee who were followers of Jesus. Their father ran a rather large fishing business, and James and John worked for him alongside other employees. When Jesus came by the place where they were mending nets, He invited the two brothers to follow Him. So, they left the fishing business to follow Jesus.
Later, Jesus was giving the disciples instruction. He told them how they would have thrones in heaven. James and John had been thinkin’ it over and they decided they would get Jesus to grant them a favor.
In Mark 10, they tell Jesus, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”
Wait a minute, did they just try to convince Jesus to agree to what they wanted?
And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said something like, “Jesus, when we get to heaven, we’d like to sit, one of us on the right and the other on your left. Well, we want to be your foremen.” It’s just possible they were being a bit self-serving.
Jesus tells ‘em, “If you want to be on my right and left, then drink the cup of death with Me! You should know that My Father is the One who will choose who sits where.”
Then they realized that maybe they hadn’t thought it through too well. And the others could see thru what these two were trying to pull over on them.
And then Jesus tells them something like, “If you want to be of worth, if you want to be great, don’t be like the ranchers who lord their authority over those who do day work for them. You want to be great? Then be a servant and serve the people! If you have such a desire to be first, then be last. Be a servant to all!”
“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 nasb) Have you ever wanted to be a part of some team (ranch rodeo, softball, etc.) that didn’t have it all going on just, so you could help them out? Oh sure, anyone can be the last peg on the best team and do well, but isn’t it better to be able to contribute to a team truly needing assistance?
Which one is more rewarding? Would you rather be on a team that is loaded with illegal ringers or the team that desires to learn and the feeling of accomplishment?
It’s an awesome thing to learn that we win by truly serving others.
“But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.” (Mark 10: 43-44) What is Jesus saying here? Well, the best way to be successful is to encourage others!
The point is – you and I must learn to be a servant before we can be leader.
God doesn’t tell us to only serve those we like, but He shows us we are to serve everyone He puts us into contact with. One way of serving is to help a brother along who is struggling. (Matt 18:15) We must learn to put the needs of others ahead of ourselves. And that is not natural.
When seeking a church, ministry, or team seek where you can go to be a servant. So many folks try to find a church with the best programs and the most this and the most that so they can be ministered to. And, yes, that is important, but if you do not seek out a place where you can “serve” then you may never grow. And that’s not what the Master has in mind.
If we are to have a relationship with Christ, we will serve Him!
Choose Jesus, choose life! And find a Bible believin’ church where you “fit in” and know, grow, and follow Christ! Tell others! See y’all at church and keep PRAYIN’ for HIS HARVEST!
And y’all KEEP PRAYIN’ for RAIN! Amen.