Servant

Have you ever had the feeling that someone felt they were too good to speak with you? Wanted to see someone and find it was impossible to see them for they were so high up that they didn’t let peasants like you in their presence. Have you ever heard “it’s not my job?” I’ve had those feelings more than once. Not long ago I was to go to a home that was in a secure community; I pulled up to the front gate and to tell them that I was there to see a certain person. The guard at the gate made a call to their home but no one answered; the guard then told me that I would have to go to a lower gate that this gate was for residents only.  He called it a service entrance nice wording for where the peasants enter. Could it be we all have some type of feelings like those…”I’m not doing that, I don’t care what they say.” I don’t get paid enough for doing that, if they want me to do it they are going to have to come off the hip.”  “Who do they think I am anyways?” ” I’ll find me another job and show them.” Are we to race to the top so we can forget anyone below? I don’t think so and neither did Jesus. Listen to what the creator of the universe had to say about someone being great.

Matthew 20:26  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; The word used for minister in the Greek is diakonos (dee-ak'-on-os ) and it means a waiter, servant.

Matthew 20:27  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Mat 20:28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Jesus was teaching and training 12 men daily. Peter who would soon curse as well as deny Him. Thomas who would soon question the resurrection. Judas who would sale Him out and then there was the discussion between the ones Jesus was teaching on who was the greatest.  What do you think you would have done if you had been in Jesus' shoes? Do you think that the Idea might have come into your mind it's time to find others to train? This is not what Jesus did at all. In Jesus’ day the washing of the feet was a task reserved  not for  servants but for the lowest of servants but in John chapter 13 this is not what we see at all.

John 13:4  He (Jesus)  riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

John 13:5  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

We see the King of Kings taking on the role of the lowest of servants. Fingers that formed mountains now are massaging toes. The one before whom all nations will one day kneel is kneeling before His disciples.   You and I think we are somebody that’s too busy to talk with the peasants who want a little of our attention?  We aren’t who we think we are. James put it like this:

James 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

It’s the Lord that does the lifting not you and I! You may think you are somebody sitting behind that big fancy Walnut Desk. Why don’t you do something for someone as a servant. When you go into the convenience store why not buy two candy bars and give one to the attendant and tell them when they go on break to enjoy. Be nice and kind to those around you and the day will come when they will listen when we talk to them about Christ.