Chronicles of a Journeyman

Matt. 23:11 – The greatest among you will be your servant (NIV)

There are not many verses in the Bible that summarize the essence of God’s kingdom better than this simple verse. The greatest…shall be…the one who serves! This verse picks up from a series of warnings Jesus gives His disciples about seeking human praise and recognition. He points out the attitudes of the Pharisees and scribes as an antithesis to the values of God’s kingdom, cautioning that they should be listened to but not followed. Their goal was often to be recognized and elevated above others. Jesus, however, invites His disciples to a life of “ordinariness”, asserting that the only one worthy of honor is our heavenly Father, and the Christ whom He appointed. Everyone else must humble themselves.

It was against this backdrop that the Lord then sets a new standard: to be the greatest in the kingdom, you must be the one who serves others. While being a lowly servant is often looked down on in the world, it is a desirable trait in God’s kingdom. Our humble service helps to build others up and glorify God, from whom all things proceed. Elevating ourselves distracts us from recognizing the Only One truly deserving of honor – the Most High God. Jesus calls us to use all we have for the good of others while acknowledging God alone as the source. Only this manner of thinking attracts a heavenly reward because it gives glory to God and takes the attention away from any human being.

If we seek to exalt ourselves, then we oppose the Lord, who will then humble us appropriately. If we humble ourselves, acknowledging the Lord’s supremacy and our dependence on Him, then He will acknowledge our praise and reward us with exaltation in due time. Therefore, service to our brothers, sisters, and neighbors is an act of honor to God. By serving, we acknowledge His grace at work within us and proclaim He is the One True God. If instead, we do anything to the end that we are exalted or recognized (including “service”), we set ourselves up in conflict with the Almighty. The call of the Christian is a call to serve with humility, not to seek praise or recognition, but rather to seek the glory of God and the edification of others.

So, what does serving others look like in practice? Jesus gave us a practical answer to this when He washed His disciples’ feet. Serving is meeting other people’s natural or spiritual needs using our gifts, abilities, and resources at no cost to those we serve. It is being available to comfort those who mourn and celebrate with those who rejoice. It is lending a hand to a brother or sister in need without expecting anything in return. It is sharing encouragement with others when they are discouraged. It is giving time and money to support a charity without seeking recognition or a reward. Service begins with a posture of heart that puts others first and ends with the completion of whatever good we conceive in our minds. We do all these things as unto the Lord, even if our efforts are not appreciated.

The call to serve with humility is not natural to us. As humans, we often want and sometimes, even need, acknowledgment, recognition, or appreciation for the service we render to others as believers. But when we learn to keep our eyes on the one who gives us gifts and abilities and who will reward our service, we gradually imbibe the spiritual virtue of serving faithfully without expecting anything. We must maintain honesty before God and confess where we fall short in service or humility. Then He will give grace to our hearts and empower us to be a true blessing through the practice of humble service. May we always be found in a position of humble service to God and others always. Amen.

Matt. 23:12 – For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (NIV)