Are you being served or serving?

A devotion by Joe G

Matthew 20:28; John 13:13-17; Philippians 2:3-5

Are you being served or serving?

My favorite part of being in Ministry is serving others. Over my many years in youth ministry, my students served the church and community in many ways.

Here’s just a sampling of the different ways my students served. My students delivered food baskets to the needy, handed out “Street Eats” bags to the less fortunate, and delivered toys to disadvantaged children at Christmas. They mowed lawns and did yard work. They also painted houses, and as I’ve mentioned before in an earlier devotion, they held doors open for the group and others as we entered and exited retail establishments.

Finally, on several occasions, as part of a Bible study, they washed each other’s feet.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Here’s the Point<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Jesus showed us many examples of serving others during His Ministry on earth. He even told His disciples,

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

In the passage above from Matthew 20:28, Jesus clearly tells His disciples what His purpose on earth is. He was sent by the Father to serve others and give up His life for the world’s sins.

In the Gospel of John 13, Jesus sets an example for His disciples by washing their feet. Jesus gets up from the table (The Last Supper), gets on His knees, and washes each of His disciples’ feet. Why?

It’s an example of how you and I should serve others. Here’s what Jesus said to His disciples after He washed their feet:

“Do you understand what I have just done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right because that is what I am. If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other’s feet. I did this as an example so that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, a servant is not greater than his master. A messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:13-17

Jesus was telling His disciples to put others first. He told them to do as He had done and live a life of service to others.

All those things I mentioned earlier that my students had done for the church and the community were acts of service. This is what you and I are called by our Savior Jesus Christ to do, serve others. Put others’ needs above your own. We can call ourselves disciples only by emulating Jesus’ words and actions.

How can you better serve like Jesus?

Volunteering in your community. Local organizations such as food banks, soup kitchens, and your own church always need volunteers.

Make others more significant than yourself. When was the last time you held a door open for someone or gave a few dollars to a homeless person?

Take time to pray for direction and listen to God. Where and how does God want you to serve others.

Make serving others not something you occasionally do; instead, make it part of your daily life. Put others before your needs and wants the way Christ came to serve rather than be served. Amen.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 2:3-5