Luke 22:27 (NLT) Who is more important, the one
who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of
course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.
(Emphasis added)
I love this passage in John
13:12-16 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you
understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and
‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to
wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to
follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the
truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more
important than the one who sends the message. (NLT)
Previously in verse 24 the disciples were
arguing among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. These are the
hand picked disciples that he loves. Excluding Judas, they also loved our Lord.
They have seen his power to heal, miracles of multiplying the bread and the
fish to feed thousands. They saw him defying the natural laws of science as he
walked upon the water and raised the dead, yet they still did not understand
his heart. He did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life
(Matthew 20:28). Once more Jesus attempts to bring clarity to eyes that still
see dimly, to ears muffled by ego, and to hearts still lacking understanding of
their true calling before the Lord.
It must sadden our Lord, that centuries later,
mankind still struggles with the same levels of carnality. The temptation to believe ones own advertising
surrounding the greatness of their gifts and teaching is still very real. Many
boast of the crowds that gather and the size of their ministries. Some are so
arrogant as to flaunt their luxurious homes, wardrobes and excessive possessions
as evidence of God’s favor and reward for their service.
Who is the greatest? Is it a high-powered flamboyant
speaker or could it also be the unknown man or woman quietly serving in some
obscure place waiting on tables?
I love this passage in John
13:12-16 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you
understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and
‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to
wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to
follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the
truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more
important than the one who sends the message. (NLT)
The desire to exercise our spiritual gifts and
talents for the cause of Christ is admirable, but we must all remember that it
is not the scope of our ministry or the numbers that we use to calculate
success, but rather the quality and size of our servant hearts. Can we be
content to do the humblest of tasks, to serve and wash the feet of a select few
as well as when we stand before thousands!
Position, comfort, fame, and fortune can never
be the goal. Whatever measure of success we may experience in this life must
not be allowed to define the true servant leader.
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