Day 128: What is The Spiritual Exercise of Serving? (Following)
Serving others is the ultimate expression of our love. Jesus teaches us that love for God and love for others are the foundational and key commandments, they are the very heart of the Lord’s wise instruction to us. Following Jesus means learning to serve in love as He Himself serves us all.
In many Christian circles, there is a lot of emphasis given to the first two exercises, but not much given to this third: selfless service. This one, however, binds the other two together and gives them life—a body to live in. The Lord does not want us to sit in our dark corner praying and studying all the time. These exercises actually prepare us to go out and present the reality of who Christ is in the world.
As we serve others self-sacrificially as Christ has served us, we give them an experience, a taste of His goodness and beauty. Prayer and study that is not expressed in service usually becomes cold, sterile and unfulfilling. It is our Christlike, loving, gracious service that gives shape to our hope and makes our faith alive and active.
How Did Jesus Model Service?
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
In His own life and ministry, the Lord Jesus modeled this activity over all others: service. He defined the core of His mission in the statement above from Mark 10. This basic pattern and attitude of service is one that is modeled clearly in the life of the Master and so we, as His students, are called to follow in His footsteps.
The concept of service dominates the landscape of the New Testament. Peter, John, James, Paul often refer to themselves in “servant” and “slave” terms throughout the letters:
Romans 1:1
From Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.
James 1:1
From James, a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings!
(Remember that this James was Jesus half-brother!!!)
At the end of Matthew, Jesus warns His first disciples very sternly about seeking places of honor and privilege. These things can often lead to pride which is not in line with the Way of Jesus.
Matthew 23:8-12
Now you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 23:9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 23:10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 23:11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Jesus’ main point in all of this is that we should not do the things we do in order to seek places of power and praise from other people. Instead, we are to remember that we are all walking together following the lead of our One True Master and Teacher—Jesus. Since He serves us, we should serve one another.
The way of service is the Way of the Kingdom. To be great in Father God’s eyes, we must become servants of all. This requires humility–realizing who we are and who The Lord is. It requires us to let go of our need for praise from others and do the works of a servant that will gain us praise from Father God.
Service Displays And “Proves” Our True Love.
Serving others is the ultimate expression of our love. Remember, Jesus teaches us that love for God and love for others are the foundational and key commandments, they are the very heart of the Lord’s wise instruction to us:
Mark 12:28–31
Now one of the experts in the law …asked [Jesus], “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 12:29 Jesus answered, “The most important is: ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 12:31 The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
So we have two foundational commandments here: 1) Love the Lord God, and 2) Love your “Neighbor” as yourself. Most people know those well. But, our Master does not stop there however:
Luke 6:27–29, 35-36
“… I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.…
6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to ungrateful and evil people. 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
What we are touching on here are really the “meat” truths of discipleship. In order to follow Christ faithfully, we must come to realize that He is transforming us into people that have little concern for getting our way in life; instead we are more concerned about serving others so that they can become the people that God desires for them to be, even—and maybe especially—those who we see as our enemies.
In some of the last instruction that Jesus gives to the first disciples, He tells them this:
John 13:34–35
“I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 13:35 Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”
Later He repeats this command and adds to it:
John 15:12-14
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
Think on that: Jesus desires that we love one another as He has loved us! As we are growing in both the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, we begin to realize the high standard He places before us. And take note: this love for one another is what uniquely set us apart as HIS students/disciples. It is our love for one another that presents the reality of Jesus to the world that is watching.
It is also very important to remember that we serve the One True God who is seeking to transform His enemies into His children through love and grace. We were once His enemies, but now, by His mercy and love, He has drawn us to Himself (see Romans 5:6-11). Our King and His Kingdom gains victory not in destroying His enemies, but by transforming them by His grace. That is the mission now. There is a future day of wrath coming, but now, through us, the Lord is calling a rebellious world to Himself through His love.
Only self-sacrificial love can transform the heart of an enemy. Love is the most powerful reality on Earth. Jesus leads us in His type of true love and as we follow Him, we give our lives to realize and express this love.
Is selfless service something that characterizes your life? Pray, asking the Lord to help you in all the ways that you could love and serve better. Ask Him to make you aware of the opportunities to serve when they appear.
*You can find a complete list of all the MilktoMeat readings here.
