Learning the meaning of true service.

by Dr. David R. Downey

Speaking to a class recently while discussing the office of deacon in the church, I said, “This is a very high calling, as the deacon responsibility is rooted in service to the church and, in this, imitates the Savior who revealed Himself in exactly the same way.”

When I was a young man, my father reminded me on occasion that it did not matter how much money a person made in their career or what accolades they received in doing so. Such a person would never be fulfilled if they were not serving others. Many people in high positions today need to hear this emphasis again. If we are alert, we will see some — even in the highest positions in our churches and government — who seem more intent on advancing themselves than showing a heartfelt love for those they serve.

Jesus gave us an example of what He wanted for us when He knelt, took up the towel, and washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:3-16). Before this, everyone in the room sat there with dirty feet. I can imagine them averting their eyes, as no one was taking care of what was an obvious problem. They might have been unsure how it was to be done.

Jesus then filled the basin and showed them.

Notice that this event was just before they took the Lord’s Supper, Jesus’ last Passover on earth. After Jesus had signified that there was a betrayer among them, Luke reported an important event that John did not include:

And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves” (22:24-27).

It is a surprise to us all that immediately after Jesus spoke of a betrayer (and according to the Gospel of John, Judas left to do his evil work), the disciples fell into a discussion of their greatness. The disciples never cease to amaze us in their thickness, just as we must amaze the Master at times for the same reason.

Nevertheless, I hope that we are not quite as obvious as the disciples. They were jockeying for position just moments after Jesus spoke of His death and had symbolized it by taking the Last Supper.

We should heed what Jesus is saying to us today.

Worldly vs. godly leaders

In verse 25 of the passage, worldly leaders (an appropriate translation for “of the Gentiles”) see their position as one of power. They feel they can lord it over those they lead. This word lordship is from the same root used for Jesus’ title, Kurios. In the case before us, however, context suggests it means to take mastery over another — to dominate. Furthermore, when leaders do this, they consider themselves benefactors. They assume that those they are dominating are benefited by their lordship!

In verse 26, Jesus said it should be different for Christian workers. Whether clergy or laity, they choose to upend their roles. The one in the highest position considers themself as without position — one who serves. Jesus is saying that there is an inverse logic in Christian leadership: The one who thinks least of their position is suited to be respected by God and His children.

As I write these words, I am thinking of a dear friend who is now one hundred years old. I was his student at the seminary. He is a highly respected theologian, has written many books and commentaries, and was on the translation team of both the NIV and the NASB translations. I visit this man occasionally and find him as he always was: humble, unassuming, and welcoming. I do not mention his name here because he would be offended if I did. On occasion I have praised him for various reasons, and although he wisely does not push it away, he signals that he wants to move on after graciously acknowledging the praise.

Such people enrich my life. Although my aim is to be like the Savior, I do not think the Lord is offended when I think of this friend anytime I lean toward pride, then adjust my behavior. God gives us such examples, partly so that we might pay it forward.

Jesus: our example

In verse 27, Jesus again challenged the disciples’ thinking. They were still reeling from His previous comments and were distracted. They were likely mulling over the fact that they had been considering themselves lords and were aware that they did not want to take the youngest position.

While the disciples were still smarting from His words, Jesus asked them a question they thought they could answer. Who is greater: the one who is eating or the one serving him? If Jesus had given them time to answer, one of them (probably Peter) would have blurted out, “Well, certainly the person sitting and eating!” It was customary for the master of the house to eat while the servants attended to his needs. In fact, it almost never happened that the servant ate before the master, as even Jesus attested in another place (Luke 17:7, 8).

Jesus said it is true that the master eats first, but He had chosen not to. He wanted to serve.

You might have heard a pin drop.

What does this say to us today — that the one who was the true Master of the universe said He wished to be a servant?

It should tell us, first, that the distance between our position and last place is quite small when compared to the Lord Jesus’ position and last place. How could we find service difficult when the Master found it so easy?

Second, we would notice that Jesus’ service took Him to the cross. He who is the Author of life submitted to the jeering death offered by those He created. The incongruity of this is overwhelming. In contrast, our service seems small.

Certainly, a service mindset does not preclude needing to be strong. The Savior was pointed when necessary. We will occasionally have to take the authority of whatever position God has given us and use it to right what is wrong or defend the defenseless. Otherwise, we will be sinful in subverting our responsibility. Nonetheless, the overall calling of each follower of Christ is service, and we should interpret all thought and action through that metric. We can remind ourselves of the willing sacrifice of Jesus and His command that he who is chief among you is the one who serves.