Mark 9:35-37
“And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.”
The Jews expected their Savior to be a political leader, one who would overthrow the government and change their current situation. Instead Jesus came as a humble servant. He had all the power of heaven at His finger tips, but He chose to serve the outcasts and sinners.
Christ’s birth brought hope to the world. But His purpose was not to stir the world to political unrest, nor should ours be. Christ came to minister and serve people.
Here in Mark, Christ has been asked who is the greatest among the disciples. Their pride has gotten in the way of their mission. And Christ patiently admonishes them that the greatest must become the least. These disciples were called to servant-leadership. He told the disciples to love God and serve others. And this mission has been extended to us as well.
During this Christmas season, seek to be a servant. In the hustle of this season and all that goes on, find ways to show Christ’s love to others by choosing to serve instead of being served. How do you do this? You can take a plate of cookies to a neighbor, help in a soup kitchen, stock a food pantry at a church, five to Toys for Tots, leave a surprise gift on a doorstep of a needy family, babysit for a single mom, pay for someone behind you in the drive through. There are many ways to serve others. I challenge you to try a few of these, or comment below with another idea of how to serve those around you.
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