…but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

                                                                                                Luke 22:26b-27 

Today: Read Luke 22

If someone were to ask you to describe being “Christ-like”, what would you say? Understanding God requires understanding Jesus. God came and took on human flesh, walking among us, and demonstrating exactly who He is. When we see Jesus, we are seeing God. When we listen to Christ, we are listening to God. And when we have fellowship with Jesus, we are fellowshipping with God.

Today’s passage reveals the true nature of God and it was demonstrated in the actions and words of Christ Himself. Everything that we understand about “getting ahead” in this world is challenged and eclipsed by God’s demonstration of humility and service. If we are to consider ourselves “advancing” in God’s kingdom, we must become the least and the servant of all. I can think of no greater example, apart from the cross, that demonstrates what it means to be a servant than the following:

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 

                                                                                                            John 13:3-5 

When we consider what is taking place in this moment, it is difficult not to walk away with a profound understanding of who Jesus is and by extension God. The Creator of the universe is kneeling and taking on the role of servant as He washes the feet of the disciples. The Master of the universe, having all power and authority, humbled Himself taking on this lowly task. Do we know God in this way? Have we come to the place where we have personally experienced Jesus?

Foot washing is not something we see much of in our modern culture and, for many, it is quite uncomfortable to have someone wash their feet. Imagine having that done by the very One who created us. But this is what we are all called to do. If God can take on human flesh and wash the feet of His own creation, we have no rights as fallible humans in refusing to take the same position. This is what Jesus meant when He spoke these words:

“…but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

                                                                                             Matthew 20:26b-28 

Serving is not just a part of the Christian life it is a foundational component of it. If service is not a part of our lives, can we really say that we are living a life that is Christ-like? Jesus gave Himself for us. His sacrifice gives us the right to call God Father and to participate and belong in the kingdom of God. Our very salvation comes as a result of Jesus’ obedience to take our place. Thanking Him through a life of serving others should be the reality for everyone who calls themselves followers of Jesus. Discover your spiritual gift and begin utilizing it in service to others today!

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

                                                                                                               Philippians 2:5-8 

For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

                                                                                            Philippians 2:9-11