James and John, two brothers who were disciples, came to Jesus and asked if they could sit at his right and left hands when Jesus came into his kingdom. (Their mother was also interested in this proposition!) At least they knew that Jesus was number one, they just wanted to be two and three! This request upset the other ten disciples, who perhaps resented the two for being so selfish … or … maybe they wished they had thought of it first!
But Jesus called them [all] to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 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)
Christmas is a reminder that, although someday the world will see that Jesus is King, his mission among us was one of humility, sacrifice, and servanthood. The self-centeredness of the world we live in is designed to push us away from humility. If you are person of faith, then Jesus says, “Not so with you!” He is telling us that we are to be different …
By Jesus’ definition of greatness, it happens to those with the heart of a servant. Those who are fighting to be in first place in life, making demands, stepping over and on others heading for the top of the heap, are eventually going to find themselves in last place, not first.
Those who focus on serving others are the ones Jesus calls the greatest in the Kingdom. They gain the trust of others and receive favor from God.
Express your servant heart and see what happens. If this is a big change for you, it may shock some of your friends, family, or co-workers … but … they will just have to get used to it. Don’t let them talk you out of it by telling you it won’t last or it’s not worth it. Your new attitude will lead you to life at its best, a life of greatness. In the Kingdom, you don’t achieve greatness, you strive to be humble and receive greatness as a gift from the Father. To him, servanthood is greatness.
Christmas Blessings,
Chaplain Mark
KEY VERSE:
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Ephesians 2:5-11)
Your devotionals are such a nice way to start the day