Serving Like Jesus
Day 1: Servanthood is the way of Jesus.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Philippians 2:5-7
Jesus showed possibly the greatest display of servitude when He wrapped Himself in flesh. Think about it, the King of the Universe became human for the sake of bringing us, His creation, back into relationship with Himself. He owed us nothing yet gave us everything.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for being the ultimate example of living a life of service. You showed us with Your very life that the path to living a full life is marked by service. Help us to do the same. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Day 2: Jesus demonstrated service with His actions.
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:3-5
Jesus was their master, yet he took on the task of the lowliest one in the room. After Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, he told them that this was to be their example of the way to treat one another. This kind of service is the thing that marks followers of Christ as we carry the gospel to the end of the earth. If no messenger is greater than the one who sent him, then we must demonstrate the life of Christ to others by positioning ourselves as humble servants in the world.
Action: Look for an opportunity today to take the humble position of servant as you interact with those around you.
Day 3: Servanthood is the key to greatness.
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28
Each of us feels a call to greatness. Jesus taught us how to achieve greatness in this world, and it’s not the way we might traditionally think. Our natural instinct is to climb the ladder of success, but Jesus showed that the path to greatness is to get low, as in humble, just as He demonstrated with His life.
Question: Are you climbing the ladder of success? Ask the Lord to show you how to humble yourself and display the life of Christ as you pursue greatness.
Day 4: Serving leads to a blessed life.
“Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:16-17
Jesus didn’t simply tell us to serve and leave it at that. He showed us how then attached the promise of blessing when we do it. When God tells us to do things, it’s never because He wants to boss us around or make life hard for us. On the contrary, God guides us in His ways because He knows they will lead us into fullness of life!
Prayer: Lord, help me trust Your ways. I know they are higher than mine and will lead me into the full life You intended for me. I choose to follow Your lead. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Day 5: Service is selfless.
“…I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” John 6:38
To be a servant is to live, not for our own good, but for the good of others. Can you imagine the selfless love that compelled Jesus to submit to the will of the Father? And not just to simply be born as a human, but to also live His life, never by His own desires and whims, but fully submitted to the will of the Father who sent Him. Purposing to make His Father’s will a priority was the true mark of godly servanthood.
Prayer: Lord, show me where I need to lay aside my own selfish ambitions and desires to follow You. Let me be compelled into godly servanthood by your great love! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Day 6: Servanthood reveals the way of the kingdom of Heaven.
“For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” Luke 22:27
The kingdom of heaven doesn’t work in the same way the natural world works. It’s upside down, and servanthood puts this on display. It reveals humility and selflessness as the path toward living a righteous life, full of the promises of God.
Question: Is there any situation you’re facing that you need to look at with a new, kingdom perspective?
Day 7: God honors serving.
But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 23:11-12
What more could we want than to be honored by God? Jesus taught us that to walk in that honor, we had to first walk as He did—as a servant. Jesus’ life was the perfect picture of laying down yourself and waiting for the Lord to raise you to honor. The scriptures even say that because of Christ’s submission to serve the will of the Father, that He is now exalted to the place of highest honor.
Prayer: Jesus, I want to walk in Your way. Enable me by Your Holy Spirit to live a life of service to You—in every aspect of my life. Help me recognize the areas where I need to repent and turn toward You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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