READ:
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:42-45
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:1-8
DEVOTIONAL:
Our reading today reflects the heart of Jesus, who came to earth as a servant king. To be a servant and a king is certainly a contradiction, but in Jesus’ love for our heavenly Father and His love for us, His heart was focused on adding eternal value to our lives. Jesus taught throughout the Gospels that the highest call is found in service to God and others.
A servant looks not to his own needs first but to the needs of the one he serves. As we look beyond our own interests to the interests of others, we reflect the heart of Jesus. In whatever situation he found himself, He added value to others. When we have the heart of a servant, God can do great things through us. Look for ways to add value to others every day.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for the example of servanthood that You set. Help me to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Form me into Your image and likeness, and let me walk humbly before You and others. Grow my compassion for others. Amen.
