The Servant

Jesus lived as a servant.

Mark’s gospel highlights the servant aspect of Jesus life. It records no genealogy, because a servant’s genealogy is not important, and Mark records Jesus doing many things “immediately” indicating “He got the job done”.

The other gospels also highlight the servant heart of Jesus in how he labored with compassion for the people. We should really be in awe of the idea of Jesus, the Creator, the Son of God coming as a servant because it is an expression of amazing love.

There are a number of scriptures which focus on Jesus as a servant and His call for us to also serve.:

Mark 10:45,

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Mark 9:35

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Mark 8:34

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Isaiah 52:13-15  prophesy of Jesus as the successful servant and Isaiah 53 as the suffering Servant.

It is John’s gospel that records Jesus humbly washing the disciples’ feet, the task of a lowly servant.

In the same way, Jesus calls us to serve and has given us all the ability and the gifting necessary to serve.

Colossians 3:23

²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

Next steps

Just as Jesus came to serve, so we should have the same heart to serve and be in pray for opportunities to serve. This is one of the meanings of being a follower of Jesus.

Matthew 25:14-27

….²³ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’