LEARN TO SERVE
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”
Mark 9:33-37 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Jesus has this great ability to use pointed questions to have a teaching moment. Obviously, Jesus knew the disciples had been arguing about who was the greatest. Perhaps the fact Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on the mountain alone created some jealously in the group. This argument about who was greatest set Jesus up to teach on the kingdom principle of greatness. It is called servant leadership. If you want to be a leader, you must learn to serve. We are all born with a sin nature that is selfish. We want to be served. But in the kingdom of God our new nature is to serve. Leadership in God’s kingdom is not about status but about service. The wording Jesus uses for being a servant is not like a hired servant. The wording depicts one who attends to the needs of others freely, not one who is a paid servant. Our natural reaction is to want others to serve us. We must allow the Holy Spirit to transform our thinking so that we can begin to serve others. I have noticed in working with young leaders they often don’t see the opportunities to serve. They must learn the art of seeing opportunities to serve. Jesus illustrates what it means to serve by bringing up a child. In the Jewish culture children had little value. Jesus says when we serve a child, we are serving Jesus. In other words, when we serve those that are considered the least person, we are serving Jesus. It is a life-long quest to learn to be a servant leader. Just when you think you have achieved servant leadership you realize pride has blinded you.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit please help me to be a servant leader. Help me to see opportunities to serve.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”