The Heart Of It

John 12:²⁶ (MSG) “If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honour and reward anyone who serves me”

Luke 14:¹⁵ (MSG) “That triggered a response from one of the guests: “How fortunate the one who gets to eat dinner in God’s kingdom!” There is an angle to this guest’s response that we easily miss. Jesus had just shown these people what God expects from the servant and the host alike. Then someone says, “I wonder how God’s party in heaven will be”. There are some people that even after encountering the Truth will still choose to be cynical. Then Jesus said, “Let me tell you what will happen in heaven. God invited friends to His party, and they gave all sorts of excuses. Then the Master threw open the invitation and said, “gather everybody, for My party will be well attended and My house will be full!” (Luke 14:16-24 paraphrased). In essence, what Jesus was saying to this man is, that is exactly what God has done.

Please read John 13:12-17. The lesson for us from this passage is clear. Jesus said, “You call me Lord and teacher and that is who I am.” Jesus was not in denial, He knew who He was. Jesus did not attempt to relinquish who He was. He says, “but I, Your Lord and Teacher, I am serving you. Let that be an example for you to serve one another”. Again, this is another huge lesson on leadership.

Mark 8:³⁴ “Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” Serving really is giving up our own way, our own preferences and giving up our own comfort.

You cannot serve another person by pleasing yourself. You cannot make pleasing yourself the primary objective, while you are serving the other person. If you want to serve your colleagues, you have to serve them and let go of your own ways. If you want to serve your spouse, you have to serve him or her, not thinking of your own ways. If you are thinking of your own ways, you cannot serve the other person. Similarly, you cannot follow Jesus and serve Jesus if you are thinking of your own ways. Everything stems from how we see and relate to God.

Only with God – our Master and ourselves as humble servants – serving Him and serving people, can we ever find contentment and peace. A lot of people lack contentment, battle depression, are searching for joy, purpose, and peace in their lives. The reason they are battling with all these things is that they are not serving enough people. You can change that right now!

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I will serve and follow You, I will bring pleasure and praise to You by serving Your people in Your house. Remember me for good, in Jesus Name. Amen!