MAY 24

Luke 22:24-30
Memorise James 2:17
"…I am among you as he that serveth."

DO YOU SET THE EXAMPLE IN SERVICE?

Earlier in His ministry, Jesus had already taught the disciples that in God’s kingdom, greatness is measured not by position or power, but by how much one serves others. Sadly in Luke 22:24, we read that during the Last Supper, strife once again occurred amongst the disciples on who should be called the greatest. Jesus had to repeat His lesson: "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). The one that ‘sitteth at meat’ is the one who would sit at the table and waits to be served, usually the position taken by the master of the house or the important guests that he invites. The one that serveth would be the household servants that wait upon the tables, to bring them the food and clear up after them. Logically, in the eyes of the world, it is the one who sits at meat who is respected and deemed the greater one. However, Jesus then tells them that He, though the Son of God, is the one who came amongst them to serve them. Jesus once again pointed out that the disciples should follow His example in service, and should not seek to be served by those they had power and authority over, but to serve them instead. Jesus was able to ask the disciples to follow His example because He indeed was exemplary in His life in seeking to serve rather than to be served.

How about you and I? Can we truly say we set an example in service as Christ did? I notice those who criticize church leaders for not serving enough, usually do not themselves serve either, as if criticizing others helps obscure their own lack of service. Dear brethren, the best way to encourage others to serve more is to set the example yourself. Several adults have told me they feel convicted of their own lack of service when they see teens and youths sacrificing so much of their time in serving the Lord. Your example of service speaks so much louder than the words of those who bemoan the gaps in service in our church, because you show through your works of service that your faith is not dead but very much alive (James 2:17-20). If you want to truly be great in the kingdom of God, then you must learn to humble yourself and do all you can to serve the people around you.

Thought: Is my faith living faith or dead faith?
Prayer: Let others see Jesus in me.