To Be Great in the Kingdom of God is To Serve as a Slave "Just Like Jesus"
This month’s devotions are provided by WELS Congregational Services.
Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.Matthew 20:28
Jesus’ words are shocking, aren’t they? The world looks up to those with the greatest abilities, the ones who have great wealth, or the ones who have power. A part of us loves these things, too.
On one occasion, ten of Jesus’ disciples were mad at the other two because their mother asked Jesus for her two sons to be seated at Jesus’ right and left in his kingdom. Jesus told her those placements belonged to his Father’s choice.
Then he told all of them that we are different than the world and its lust for power, riches, and honor. To be truly great means to serve others. To be first means to become slave of the group. Then Jesus gave this example, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
When we are tempted by this world’s wisdom to withhold our time, talents, or treasures where we could or should help others, who do we resemble? We start to look like the world.
When we realize that our calling as saved, forgiven, dearly loved residents of heaven who are simply sojourning here is to serve our neighbor, what a joy it is to do what we have been given to do, serve where we can, and to help our neighbor.
Jesus tells us that that is what it means to be “just like Jesus.” He gave himself as the ransom for our release from the captors of sin, death, and the devil. We are free.
What better way to live that freedom than to serve others “just like Jesus”!