The Heart of a Servant: Jesus Christ's Selfless Service

The Heart of a Servant: Jesus Christ's Life of Service

The life and ministry of Jesus Christ is marked by one significant characteristic: service. He came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). This selfless act of service was not limited to his time on earth, but it extends to the present and even into the future when he returns again. Jesus is our servant, both in the past and the present, and he will continue to serve us in the future.

Jesus himself spoke of his role as a servant when he said, "Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them" (Luke 12:37). This imagery of Jesus serving his people at his return paints a beautiful picture of his heart of service.

But it doesn't stop there. Jesus is not just our servant in the future, he is our servant now. He promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). We can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6). Jesus is with us, serving us in our time of need.

Some may wonder if it belittles the risen Christ to call him our servant. After all, he is the Son of God, the King of kings. But to call him our servant does not diminish his greatness. It simply acknowledges our weakness and our need for his help. Jesus is the only one who can truly serve us with what we need most—salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life.

In fact, Jesus delights in serving us. He is not burdened by our cares, but rather he thrives on bearing our burdens. He loves to work for those who wait for him (Isaiah 64:4). He takes pleasure in those who hope in his steadfast love (Psalm 147:11). His eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth, ready to give strong support to those whose hearts are blameless toward him (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Jesus Christ is alive to serve! He is not only alive to save, but also alive to give. He is thrilled to be our helper and provider. He is exuberant with his omnipotent service for the sake of all who trust him.

Just think about it for a moment. The Son of God, the Creator of the universe, humbles himself to serve his creation. It is a profound and humbling truth. And yet, it is also a comforting and encouraging truth. We have a Savior who is not distant or aloof, but one who is intimately involved in our lives, ready to serve us in every way.

Jesus' life of service is not just an example for us to follow, but it is also a reflection of his character and nature. He is the ultimate servant, the one who laid down his life for us. As he said, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Jesus' sacrificial act of service on the cross is the ultimate expression of his love for us.

As we consider the heart of a servant that Jesus has, we are called to respond in gratitude and obedience. We are called to serve others just as he has served us. In fact, Jesus himself said, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:35). We are called to follow his example and serve others with humility and love.

But let us not forget that our ability to serve others comes from the power and strength that Jesus provides. We can only truly serve others when we rely on his grace and rely on his Holy Spirit working in and through us. It is not our own strength or abilities that enable us to serve, but it is the power of Christ in us.

In conclusion, the heart of a servant is at the core of who Jesus is. He came not to be served, but to serve. He continues to serve us today and will serve us in the future. We can trust in his unfailing love and his inexhaustible resources. Jesus delights in serving us, and we are called to respond in gratitude and obedience. Let us follow his example and serve others with humility and love, relying on his strength and grace. Jesus Christ is alive to serve, and may we live in light of this truth.