Who is Greater?

Luke 22:24 – 30  Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Have you ever known a true servant? You know the type. They are always looking for ways to make your life easier. They are in the shadows, working, getting the things done that nobody really wants to do.

I’ll bet you’ve known the opposite type, as well. The ones who are always looking to be served. The ones who let everyone else do the work, and then they reap the benefits.

I’ve known both types of people.

And, though I’m not especially proud of the fact . . . I’ve been both types. I have had seasons of serving, of working, of giving, and I’ve had seasons of letting others serve.

I have to be honest with you. It’s nice to be served. It’s nice to enjoy the fruits of others’ hard work. But there is danger there, my friends. For when we let others serve us without giving back, we grow discontent. And then, we don’t recognize the root of our discontent. So we become more demanding. We grow critical of others, wanting them to serve us more, and serve us better.

But when we are the one who serves . . . well, it really makes no sense when you think about it. But when we give our lives to serving others, we somehow gain a serenity and a peace and a contentment with all we have. Maybe because we give so much, we appreciate what others give to us.

Jesus knew this. He knew that it is greater to serve than to be served. His very life is an example of loving, sacrificial service. He chose to be broken and spilled out for us.

But the story doesn’t end with Him spilled out.

God, who was pleased with His Son’s servant heart, exalted Him to the highest place.

And guess what? God sees our hearts, too. And when He sees our loving service to Him and others, He is pleased. And He will reward us generously.

So you see, when it comes right down to it, the servant really is greater than the master. For it is only through service that we can become like our Father.

Dear Father, Please develop in me a servant’s heart.

Amen