Servant of All!

Servant of all!

In today’s world there is a hunger for power and control. We see government leaders battling it out for the control of our nation and this is also happening in countries throughout the globe. Whatever it takes to gain power and authority appears to be the practice of the day. Being elected or appointed to a position of prestige or prominence, in our modern-day society, seems to carry with it an attitude of certain individuals gaining dominance over others.

In the Christian community this is not how it is to be. When one is placed into a leadership position, they are to take on the role of a servant. Jesus addresses the whole idea of leader/servant in Mark 9:33-37: And they came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they argued with one another about who was the greatest. And He sat down and called the twelve. And He said to them, “If anyone would be first, He must be last of all and servant of all.” And He took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me and whoever receives me, receives not me but Him who sent me.”

It is not for us as God’s children to be battling against other people for the sole purpose of capturing the top spot or position of prominence, so we can hold control and be able to call all the shots. We are not to be among those leaders who lord their authority over those serving below them. Jesus clearly related the importance of this teaching in Matthew 20:25-28, “You know the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Can you imagine how different things would be in our nation, if the leaders in our government, businesses, and churches really followed this profound teaching of the King of the Universe? The positive impact such a humble practice could make would be, in my estimation, unbelievable. Jesus, Ruler over all, laid the groundwork for us to act in such a manner. His example of sacrifice and servanthood set the standard for us His disciples to emulate. With Jesus, as our Lord and leader, and the Holy Spirit living in us and thru us, we can show the world what it truly means to be a Christ-centered servant/leader in our power-hungry 21st Century American society. Yes, with Jesus on our side leading us, we can be difference makers as we serve Him and our fellow man!!!!!!!!!!Pastor McCarty