Serve!

“24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25 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.
27 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.” (Lk. 22:24-27)

I am back! Kindly forgive me for being away from blogging for such a long time. Sometimes, though, I believe it is spiritually healthy to keep quiet for a while. Sometimes God needs to fill us up, and at such times we need to just stay quiet.

Let us now look at a lesson that dropped into my heart like soft cheese. I was reading the above scripture when the word “serve” jumped out at me. I am very sure it was the Lord talking to me.

When we get to heaven there will be many surprises awaiting us there: but among the major surprises is when we get to learn who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. Many people think their earthly church leaders – the pastors and elders, apostles and prophets, etc. – most people believe that because these people are great here on earth, that they will also be the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.

But no! Jesus made it clear that the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven are those who… serve. That’s an attitude of heart! Unfortunately, but good news nonetheless, is the fact that when we get to heaven, the greatest will not be our beloved bishops, archbishops and pastors. Many of these leaders do not know what it means to serve. They only know to be served!

Imagine Jesus Himself telling His disciples,

“I am among you as he that serveth.” (v. 27)

Jesus did not live with His disciples the way today’s bishops and apostles live with their congregations. Today’s church leaders live a life of being served. That is the mindset they have. But this is a mindset of the flesh: it is not of the Spirit. For this reason, when He came to earth, Jesus did not come with that mindset, simply because He was not walking in the flesh. Jesus walked in the Spirit.

One of the most desirable things in this world – one of the things we love most in the flesh – is to be served. But Jesus did not come to please His flesh. For this reason, therefore, if you want to know how much the church is pleasing the flesh, just check out how much we love being served – and how little we serve!

And don’t tell me about preaching. Anyone can preach. But few of these same people can actually allow themselves to get their hands dirty and stoop to serve others. Actually, amongst the people who cannot even pick up a cup for themselves are preachers.

Now this is where we learn about the cross. In 1 Corinthians chapter 1 the Apostle Paul talks about his fear of the cross being “of none effect” to the people he preached to.

The purpose of the cross in our lives is to deal with our flesh, and our pride. We are called upon to carry the heart of a servant!

Now I know there are people who are not happy with what I have said here. But shouldn’t we obey scripture at every cost? How about we put aside all the politicising and actually get down to serve others? How about we go out of our way and give raw, actual service to people? Did you know that even moving that plate on the table – not waiting for someone else to do it – is the kind of service we have been called to? Or you could volunteer to brush your brother’s shoes.

There are a million and one things we can do in serving others!

I can’t wait to get to heaven and see who will be the greatest. In the meantime, all I want is to serve, and not to be served. Help me, God!