Scripture

He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him and said, “Whoever wants to be the first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

Observation

Jesus and the disciples travel through Galilee, keeping a low profile so that Jesus can spend time with the disciples. Jesus tells him that he will be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later will rise from the dead.

When they arrive at Capernaum Jesus asks them what they’d been discussing on the road. He knew they’d been arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus tells them that those who seek to be first must be the servant of everyone else.

Jesus goes on to say that if anyone welcomes a little child, they welcome him and in welcoming him, they welcome the Father.

Application

It is human nature to put our own desires first. Many leaders in politics, churches, organisations etc, take on leadership roles to exercise power over others Often it is dressed up in other terms, such as being the best person for the job or the one qualified to run things.

Christians must always resist the temptation to push ourselves forward. Christ came to serve not to be served, so our attitude must always be that of a servant.

In the long run, every church needs the person who cleans the toilets ss much as they need the celebrity pastor How few people volunteer, for this first role.

As a pastor I’ve always believed my first aim is to serve. I try to do this with humility and honesty. This applies to every job, every position.

Live to serve those around you.

Listen

Lord, what would you say to me today about taking the last position?

Keith, people sometimes confuse this form of humility with self-negation, It is about seeking to serve the people around you, in any way that you can. It doesn’t mean trying to humiliate yourself.

There are people who see a situation and think, “Somebody should do something.” But others say, “How can I help?”

The way of Jesus is the way of serving.

Never try to say to raise yourself higher than I have placed you.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing. let my love and my grace flow into the lives of the people around you.