As Was His Custom: Serving
We live in a world preoccupied with greatness. As humans, we follow star athletes, celebrities, artists, and leaders, and we yearn for significance in the individual corners of our own lives. We pursue financial gain, popularity, appeal, and admiration. We seek to be known and praised. We find satisfaction in attention and aspire to feel important in the eyes of others. Throughout history, this obsession has taken many shapes and forms, but it is the same, nonetheless: conquering kingdoms, rising to power, acquiring a following, generating wealth, gaining importance.
When Jesus came, however, He modeled an entirely opposite ambition and aim. Instead of seeking greatness by these standards, Jesus turned our entire way of living on its head, swinging the pendulum to the other extreme. He taught that in His Kingdom, the key to greatness is, in fact, found in becoming less:
Jesus both taught and modeled in His earthly ministry a different objective– Serving is the way of God’s Kingdom.
And it’s not what you think. It’s not necessarily doing more. That only leads to burnout and stress. Jesus taught us a better way, and His way brings life!
Jesus (Yeshua) And His Custom of Serving
The word servant in the New Testament comes from the Greek words διάκονος (diakonos), which means “one who executes the commands of another,” and δοῦλος (doulos), which means “devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests.” Both of these words and their meanings are used by Jesus in His teachings about servanthood, and His example emulates just that: obedience to God and the laying down of self for the sake of others. It’s totally contrary to what our “greatness-obsessed” world seeks. But Jesus came to show us the way of the Kingdom.
Jesus both taught and modeled a life of servanthood to show us the approach of the Kingdom of God for which we were made. Jesus’ teaching and His example set the stage for us to follow Him in a practice that, unlike the pursuit of worldly importance, leads to the greatest fulfillment in our current lives and the greatest reward for eternity (not merely more to “do” for Him).
Jesus’ Teaching About Serving
One of the most profound teachings of Jesus on this truth is found in Matthew 20. Jesus is approached by the mother of James and John, two of Jesus’ disciples. She is conspiring to gain a place of honor for her sons in the Kingdom to come. In Mark’s version of the encounter, James and John are accomplices in this request. In either case, their ambition is wholly misplaced. Rather than addressing the request, Jesus uses this moment to “turn the table” and introduce the aim of His Kingdom: an upside-down approach from the way of our importance-seeking, broken world.
Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:22-28)
This is the way of Jesus. Not the “lording it over,” “exercising authority over,” or even seeking to be found important, but rather, the laying down of self for the sake of another. It’s what Jesus came to do. And it’s what He taught us to emulate.
This is not the only time Jesus’ disciples struggled to understand the “upturned life.” In the midst of Jesus’ earthly ministry, Jesus called attention to the fact that they had been disputing among themselves “who would be the greatest.” They didn’t get it. And Jesus teaches a strikingly contrasting truth in response:
“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)
In another teaching on serving in Matthew 23, Jesus turns his attention to the religious leaders of His day, shining a bright light on their misplaced aspiration for greatness: “They do all their deeds to be seen by others..they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.” (Matthew 23:5-7). Jesus highlighted their aim to contrastingly emphasize where true value is found: “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12) He turns the system of the world on its head, helping us see where our worth, value, and importance truly live.
In both the hearts of the disciples and in the hearts of the scribes and the Pharisees, their aim was self-promotion and personal gain. To be honest, when I read of the arguments and requests among the disciples, my first reaction is to quickly criticize them. I can perhaps understand such heart attitudes from the religious leaders but from Jesus’ closest friends? How on earth could they miss such an important truth? How were they so blinded to their own pride? And yet, when I investigate my own heart, I am humbled. I, too, have experienced a stray heart and culture creep – the temptation to seek greatness, to be seen as important, and to desire significance in the eyes of the world. We all do. We’ve all been there. But we can’t stay there and truly experience the gifts of His Kingdom.
Jesus beautifully and gently taught (and still teaches) us His way—serving. His teaching was abundantly clear: the way to lasting greatness and true fulfillment is not found in worldly gain of any kind but rather in living a life laid down.
Jesus’ Custom Of Serving
Not only did Jesus teach about serving, but more importantly, he lived a life of servanthood. Jesus served those He met on the streets and those close to Him; He fed multitudes, healed the sick, taught the masses, and guided the lost. Jesus lived His life in service to every person he met – to seek and save the lost.[1]
One of the most well-known stories of Jesus’ custom of serving happens at the end of His life, shortly before His betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. I find this to be notable, seeing as He knew His time left with His disciples was short and had a mission to prepare them for future ministry (service). It was after supper one night before the Feast of the Passover:
He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand”...When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. (John 13:1-15)
When Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He was modeling the better way: becoming less and laying down of self. What Jesus wanted His disciples to understand is that laying down one’s life leads to true fulfillment and blessing.
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:39)
Not only did Jesus serve throughout His earthly ministry, but also Jesus’ life was the ultimate example of servanthood, both in His coming to earth as a man and then living and dying for the sins of us all. He set aside His glory, came as a bondservant, and then gave His life so that we might find life.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:4-11)
There is no greater example. There is no greater privilege than following Jesus in this way.
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (John 12:26)
Not only does God’s way bring ultimate fulfillment, but also an unfading reward from our Heavenly Father. Serving and laying down of self is the way of the Kingdom. And it starts with the heart.
How Can We Follow Jesus In This Way?
In our own lives as believers, we get the privilege of carrying forward this beautiful model of service to God in the laying down of self in obedience as well as service on behalf of others. The two are impossible to separate. We cannot serve God fully and neglect to serve others well. We cannot serve others well until we’ve truly learned to surrender to/serve God.
To authentically follow Jesus' example of serving (and not merely by simply “doing” more for Him or others), it starts and ends with the heart.
See Yourself in God’s Greater Plan
In order to truly lay down your life and serve like Jesus, the starting point is to see yourself from the vantage point of God’s greater plan and our eternal security with Christ. We cannot keep an eye on humble service to God and to others while seeking to gain significance or value in the world around us. Ground yourself in the truth that you are a chosen child of God with intrinsic value and worth. Jesus came for YOU – He sought you out, and when you said yes to Jesus, you became HIS for eternity. Everything you do from here on out does not make you more qualified. The truth of our place in God’s family is a scaffolding for our heart to serve God and others freely, as we’re not grasping or striving to be admired or esteemed, or trying to find our place, or even gain His favor. We already are fully known and loved, and we fully belong. Within this space, there is greater joy in and capacity for placing others above ourselves for the purpose of their benefit and God’s Kingdom.
As you help others catch the vision for His way in the Kingdom, start with the heart. Then, challenge others to simply show up and serve. When we serve from the heart and not out of compulsion, the game changes; we are then able to be led by His Spirit rather than obligation. Obligation leads to burnout and stress. Service prompted by the Spirit brings life.
Show up and Serve
The truth is, in order to truly catch the vision for Jesus’ model of service and laying down of self, there is no better way than to simply serve and find ways to place others above oneself. This can look different in our lives, but as we challenge others to find ways to serve within their sphere of influence and give of themselves as an act of faith and obedience, God will honor it. Whether one is serving in the church, caring for a neighbor, or offering simple deference to a fellow customer in line at a busy store checkout line, there are many ways we can live out Christ’s example and teaching to serve.
Quietly Seek out Lowly Spaces
If you want to take this further and step out onto uncharted waters with Christ in servanthood, perhaps Charles Spurgeon’s challenge says it best:
“Let us be also ready to perform any office for our brethren, however lowly. If there is a position in the church where the worker will have to toil hard and get no thanks for it, take it, and be pleased with it. If you can perform a service which few will ever seek to do themselves, or appreciate when performed by others, yet occupy it with holy delight. Covet humble work, and when you get it be content to continue in it. There is no great rush after the lowest places, you will rob no one by seeking them. The first place we must have an election for and poll the whole community, but for the very lowest there is no great ambition, therefore select such a place, and while you will escape envy you will also gain a quiet conscience. If we were Christ’s more thoroughly we should cheerfully and voluntarily push ourselves into the places of self-sacrifice, counting it our chief honour to serve God and the church in ways which are obscure and despised, because in so doing we shall be saved from the pharisaic spirit which desires the praise of man.”[2]
As leaders, it is our privilege to place great value on the opportunities to serve that no one sees. And when we are free from the praise and admiration of man, we have a heart available to serve Christ and others authentically and with great impact, fulfillment and honor. In fact, we may find the greatest joy in the most menial of tasks.
Additional Encouragement from Scripture:
● This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:12-13)
● For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)
● As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11)
Whether our assignments are great or small, important or seemingly unimportant, seen or unseen, may we serve Christ and put others first with open, humble hearts as grateful heirs of an eternal promise that will never fade away.
[1] Luke 19:10
[2] Spurgeon, Charles (https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/the-teaching-of-foot-washing/#flipbook/)
