Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 21-22; Luke 22:1-30.
Memory Verse: “For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.” Luke 22:27 (KJV)
When you go to a restaurant and you order your desired meal and drinks, the waiter who diligently takes your order will ensure your meal is served either by himself or another waiter. And generally, it is believed that the one who is served is greater than the one who serves! Our Lord Jesus Christ alluded to this when He said to His disciples in Luke 22:27 (KJV), “For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.”
But here, Jesus Christ, who is apparently greater than his disciples, served the latter intentionally. And that was to set example for His followers in future. In deed, in Luke 22:25-26 (KJV), “And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. [26] But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” That shows that serving others must be quite rewarding.
When you humble yourself as a leader and serve others willingly in whatever capacity, you send a signal to your followers that the function of serving is not demeaning but value adding. It helps to build more confidence in the team members, it helps you to understand the peculiar challenges faced by others involved in the service, and thus, makes it easier for you to address those challenges. It makes interactions easier with those who are generally involved in service, while it also provides a sense of accomplishment in delivering quality service to the beneficiaries.
When provision of such service involves helping others out of their challenge, you feel more fulfilled as having been able to add values to the life of others.
In such instances, personal conflict as to who is higher, greater or better is reduced as emphasis is placed on service as opposed to status in the process. This was actually the solution provided by the Lord Jesus to strive for leadership among the disciples as stated in Luke 22:24 (KJV), “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.”
As Christians, you are called to be of service to others in any position you find yourself. The one who provides the service actually holds the power over whom it is provided as the quality and process of providing that service depends to a large extent on the provider! Providing service could be in form of helping the needy or the poor by providing their needs, taking service to those who need it in order to alleviate their suffering or it could even mean providing service leadership. So there is room for everyone.
Action Point: Scan your environment and ensure you provide service to someone who needs it today.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero