May 31

“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 9:35

How would our lives change if when we got up in the morning and said to ourselves, “I am not my own today. I’ve been bought with a price. Today I live as a servant of Jesus Christ.” What effect would this have in our homes, work places and social circles?

At the Last Supper, Jesus didn’t just tell His disciples what a life with Him would mean, He demonstrated it. “He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (John 13:4-5). Simon Peter was dumbfounded and refused to allow Jesus to wash his feet, but Jesus said to him, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well” (John 13:8-9).

Afterwards, Jesus explained to His disciples. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:13-16).

Jesus demonstrated to His disciples that a life with Him would mean a life of servitude. To say “I am a servant” may sound oppressive, but it’s actually very liberating when we’re servants of Jesus. It’s His divine plan we submit to, His provision, His protection and guidance, which passes the responsibility to Him.

Jesus also said, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). It is this intimacy of Christ making known His mind and purpose to us that moves us from being servants to being friends. Yes, we are Christ’s servants. That is what the New Testament definition of a Christian includes, but how beautiful to know we are also friends.

PRAYER: Dear Precious Lord, I am privileged to be your servant, but how incredibly blessed I am to be your friend. You continue to inspire and excite me. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: Do I see Christ as my friend as well as my Lord?