We are used to see people working hard in their lives, so they can stop working and delight in the joy of being served instead of serving. This can be seen at home, at work, at communities and a lot of other places. The only place you will not see that is in the Bible.
Once the disciples James and John asked Jesus if they could be glorified with Him in Heaven. They wanted the VIP place in the Eternity. Jesus answered they were out of their minds, because they had no idea of what they were asking for. After this admonition, He taught a great principle:
“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45
As usually, the Gospel comes to change our minds from a natural thought and brings us an eternal way of viewing. Jesus was the one that deserved all the Glory and all the people serving Him, but He taught us with His own life that to be a great servant is what matters.
A great man of God that lived this way was the Apostle Paul. After years serving the Lord, traveling to many places and facing uncountable difficulties, he was put in jail. Even in this situation, he served the Church of Christ, writing letters, cheering them up and teaching deeply revelations of the Gospel.
How can a man in prison teach the Philipian church to live the joy of the Lord? Only someone who knew His Lord as he did can live such an amazing life, looking to eternity more than to natural feelings or thoughts.
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24
Fix your eyes on Jesus and never let the idea of being served be bigger than serving others. God renews our strengths when we choose to be faithful to His Word!
With love, Raiane Vargas.