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Jesus is the example of a great leader by giving his life, not just his death, as a ransom for many. He did this by encountering people in such a way that affected them deeply through liberation or healing. Jesus endorsed and practiced this style of leadership for the disciples to follow. The implication is that Jesus set the example in becoming a servant. However, when Jesus speaks of himself, He talks about the act of serving rather than becoming a servant as when He was describing this to his disciples. He served by giving his life as a ransom. Was this talking about the future sacrifice for sin on the cross? We have already established that there was something else at work here. If this was the act of justification, then it could not be an example for others, since only Jesus has the power of a sinless, eternal life. Jesus Served Lovingly:
The servant’s heart means to help others in love without expecting something in return, serving in appreciation of the gifts God has already given us. What did He do to show His love? He served His men in a humble way, by washing the disciples’ feet – this was taking the place of a servant in its lowest form. Washing the feet of weary travelers would have been a job assigned to a gentile slave by the host. Not even a Jewish slave would be expected to do this lowly job as a servant. The host of a meal would never lower himself to performing this vile task himself. The travelers in ancient Palestine would have worn sandals; their feet would have been filthy from traveling on dirt roads. Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men" Philippians 2:5-7 (NKJV).
What would you do if you thought your death was imminent, or like Jesus, die by execution? Jesus chose to lovingly serve. Is Jesus asking you to show your love to Him in a way you hadn’t planned? You say, wait a minute, that’s not the way I thought it would be. Yet God says, This is right where I want you. How might God be asking you to serve Him? That, my friend, is how you will show your love to Him, by your loving and committed obedience.
Jesus Served Humbly:
Jesus showed us how to serve; He wants us to be willing to serve Him in any way that glorifies God. Being humble enough to know that our big call to service might be given very little recognition by others. To seek the recognition of man is to say to God that his plan, his pleasure, his reward, his will is not enough. We serve because that is the way of life that Christ showed us. “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girde” John 13:4-5 (NKJV). To serve without needing any affirmation, feedback or pat on the back might be difficult for many. There is a lot that can be learned a lot from an attitude of service or serving humbly. ““His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” Matthew 25:21 (NKJV).
Are you willing to humble yourself and serve? Even serve those who are overlooked, needy or outcasts in our society?
Jesus Served Faithfully:
Every believer must serve God faithfully. The word "serve" does not refer merely to doing church work, but the critical element in the word "serve" is the attitude of your heart. As we thank God for His faithfulness, let us be reminded that God requires faithfulness from us. We must remain faithful to Christ in all our service. We should make it a practice to study His leadership style. “And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” Matthew 20:27-28 (NKJV). He came to teach, lead and train. How did He do this? He served. Jesus' mandate is for us to make disciples, teaching them to obey everything that He taught.
When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. This promise is not just for elders, but for all those who serve Christ faithfully and effectively. The crown is a symbol of honor. The best way to understand what Peter is saying here is that the one who serves well will be highly honored by God for all eternity. "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away" 1 Peter 5:2-4 (NKJV).
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