October 12 - The One Who Serves

Today's Reading: 
Exodus 34:1-35:9
Luke 22:14-34
Psalm 26:1-12 
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Focus Verses:
Luke 22:24-27
24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Insight:
Jesus was and is a servant. He did not serve despite his greatness, but rather, he served because of his greatness. Servanthood is at the core of greatness. To truly follow Jesus, I must become a servant. Unless a person learns to serve and care for others, it is impossible to be like Jesus.

Response and Action:
I will not pursue greatness, but rather Christ-likeness. I will look toward the needs and interests of others, rather than concern myself with how others think about me. I will apply my energy, time, and creativity toward helping others more than myself. I will come alongside and below others in an effort to lift them rather than try to exalt myself over others. Even when I am placed in positions of leadership and authority, I will see them as a privilege and a responsibility. Leadership is to be exercised with humility toward self and concern for others.

Lord God, help me to be a servant. I want to follow in the way of Jesus. Help me to pour out my life for others. Help me to serve my spouse, my family, my neighbors, my co-workers, my church, and my community, through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Spiritual Formation Verses: 
1 Peter 5:2-3 
2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Resources:
Full Service: Moving from Self-Serve Christianity to Total Servanthood
by Siang-Yang Tan