14 September | Youth
«For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.» Mark 10:45
Who is the greatest? The disciples asked this question almost two thousand years ago, but it still echoes today with an even more frank and aggressive tone. It reveals the extremely competitive nature of our society, which lives in the frantic search for the “trinity of pride”: power, status and position. Increasingly, people aim for the top of the hierarchy, no matter where, how, or when. What really matters is coming first.
However, in God’s kingdom things do not work like that. In the divine hierarchy, the last are first, the weak are strong and those who serve are the most important. In Christ's company, the “organizational chart” works upside down, indicating that power belongs to those who serve most. Anyone who wants to lead others needs to take a basin, a towel and bend down to wash the feet of those they lead. This implies renunciation, humility, a spirit of service and, of course, love.
Do you like serving or being served? Serving is something contrary to our nature. We prefer to get hugs instead of hugging others. We like to receive applause more than to applaud. It is better to be serenaded at our door than to wait outside to serenade others at their door.
Serving hurts. Stooping down to wash other people's feet hurts. It is easier to sit on the throne telling others what to do. However, if you really want to be great and make a difference in the world, you will have to learn to serve. This golden tip is useful for marriage, church, college, professional life... Wherever you meet people, you should ask the following question: “What can I do today to make their day happier?”
Jesus is our great Master in the art of service. He dedicated His life to humanity. Even in Heaven, when we are participating in the marriage of the Lamb, He will be pleased to serve the saved. Christ said, “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them” (Luke 12:37). May your prayer today be: “Lord, teach me to serve!”