Not to be served, but to serve

“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” - Mark 10v45

The disciples’ row over who would be important in the kingdom continued. The other ten disciples were upset because they thought James and John might be given some kind of special privileges which they would miss out on. They all seemed to want to know what was going to happen for them when the kingdom was established.

Jesus had to point out that they really had it wrong. The kingdom would be all about serving, not about being served. He pointed out that even He, the Son of Man, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe did not come to earth to be served, but to serve!

How can we be so caught up in what is good for us when Jesus Himself came to serve others. Sometimes we can make a big deal about serving, like it is something exceptional or unusual that we have to work ourselves up to do. Nothing should be farther from the truth – serving should be the norm.

As I type this a special mass has just come on the telly from Rome. Four new “saints” are about the “canonised,” but that is a subject for another time perhaps. What I noticed is the church authorities and how they are being served. It is lashing rain, and all the people in attendance are carrying their own umbrellas. The only exception is the church officials who all have umbrella holders. The incongruity of this just struck me. Should not the “leaders” in the church be the servers instead of the ones being served?

May the Lord help me to realise that my life is to serve – full stop. No big deal, no show – just simple serving.

Help me to serve by your example, Lord.