But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-27 ESV
I grew up next door to two boys, whom I loved like brothers. The three of us spent our warm summer days in our connecting yards, playing kick ball, chase, dump trucks and … follow the leader. Whoever was the lead kid in our line of three had free reign to leap, spin, clap, and dance. The other two had follow suit.
We are all grown up now, and I’ve committed myself to a very different leader – Jesus Christ Himself. But the rules remain the same. I am to imitate my leader, do what He does, follow suit.
Jesus was a servant. He not only washed the disciples’ feet, he laid down His life for them. So, if I am to follow his lead, I, too must devote myself to serving others. I must not look out for my own advancement, for a better title or position. I must simply serve.
That’s hard. Because I want “ME” to be the center of every conversation and the focus of every activity. But it’s not my Leader’s way. To imitate Him, I must think of others before myself. I must do more than think. I must actively put them before myself.
That means I need to put my children’s needs before my own tiredness. My husband’s needs before my own plans. My church’s needs before my own schedule. I must serve my co-workers and friends.
Because I’m following the Leader.
thefreeslavesdevotion 