“You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant…For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:25-26, 28
On His final trek to Jerusalem, Jesus announced what would happen there—He would be betrayed, cruelly beaten, and crucified. But evidently, His disciples still didn’t understand Jesus’ teachings, because soon after that two of them asked to be seated in places of honor in His Kingdom! When the other ten heard about that request, they were indignant!
Can you imagine, twelve guys who’d been close to Jesus three years, fighting over who’d be greatest after He died? Jesus reminded them, THAT kind of behavior is what we expect from worldly people—but among YOU it will be different! People in Jesus’ Kingdom will serve, not BE served! Jesus’ followers will be different! After all, that’s what Jesus demonstrated—He came to serve others and to die on their behalf.
As a child, I remember singing this chorus in church, “To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus. All I ask is to be like Him…” However, I certainly didn’t realize what I was asking! Being like Jesus means serving and dying! Now after many years, I finally understand how it works: To be like Jesus, I simply must reverse the order…
Jesus first SERVED people, and then He DIED for them.
I must DIE to myself first, and then I happily SERVE others!
THAT kind of behavior will be DIFFERENT!
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