For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28 NLT
When I was a young girl, my parents urged me to read biographies of great people. One that impressed me greatly was the life story of Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators. He died when I was just a toddler while trying to save a man from drowning. But as I read, I learned that above-and-beyond service had marked his life. One of the hundreds of legendary stories about him concerned a humble Taiwanese pastor who hiked with Dawson way back into the mountain villages to meet with some of the national Christians. There had been a storm and the roads were wet and muddy. Soon their shoes were caked and completely covered with mud. Dawson shared profound truth with these men and women, and the Taiwanese pastor drank it all in. But later, when the pastor was asked what he remembered most about Dawson Trotman and his time with the Taiwanese, the man replied without hesitation, “He cleaned my shoes.”
Trotman was without a doubt the most famous man the pastor had ever met. But it wasn’t his credentials, his resume, or even his teachings that left the mark. It was when the pastor woke up in the morning and realized that this man from America had gotten up early and cleaned his shoes. That was his lifetime characteristic: serving in the selfless style of Jesus.
The greatest example and teacher of servanthood was of course the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said of Himself: "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus served lepers, the poor, the blind, the rich, the educated, and the uneducated. He served children and adults, Jews and Gentiles. He served those who hated Him, those who ignored Him, and those who were His disciples. It was not despite His greatness but because of His greatness that He served. Through His own attitude and actions of service He taught us unequivocally that true greatness in the Kingdom of God does not emanate from position or authority but in serving others.
Think about it – Jesus did incredible, supernatural miracles. He raised the dead, healed the sick, taught profoundly. But most of His service here was made up of incredibly simple and mundane acts in and of themselves. But this is what servanthood is: being alert to the things that need done and doing them. This is like Jesus. This is true greatness in the Kingdom of God.
- It’s likely that your life will be remembered for the impact made on ordinary days through ordinary service instead of by one or two amazing accomplishments. Think about that. Let it have an impact on your choices today.