Dec 16 Devotion: The Pattern for Servanthood

25).  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26).   But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;  27).  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28).  Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

                                  MATTHEW 20:25-28 (KJV)  

We often think of great people as the ones with authority, prominence, and power. Though Jesus had all that, He laid it aside to become a servant (ISAIAH 42:1).

Jesus gave Himself completely to fulfill the Father’s plan of redemption, even though the beneficiaries—each of us—were undeserving.  Yet all of humanity is marked by wrongdoing.

Jesus’ ultimate act of service was to give His life to rescue us). (SEE MATTHEW 20:28).  He made it possible for all of us to be free and to experience the joy that comes with being united to God in love, which was the Father’s intention from the moment we were created by His loving hands.

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we receive the gift of grace. We are now sons and daughters of the Almighty! He served the Father’s purpose faithfully. He gave up His righteousness to carry the weight of all our failures and endured pain and disgrace to bring us salvation. To meet our needs, the Savior held nothing of Himself back and thereby set a powerful example of servanthood for us to follow.

-IBC