35 He sat down and summoned the Twelve. “So you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all.” Mark 9:35 The Message
The disciples of Jesus were discussing their position in the group. Some wanted to be the most important. They were arguing who is number one. We all want to be important. We want to be accepted and loved. We want to feel we matter.
Jesus called the disciples together and explained that God’s plan is not who is the best, who has the money, or who is in first place. God’s plan is compared to the role of a servant. Jesus told the disciples, be a servant to all. Paul writes in Romans 12, “ Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.”
Love is the key to the role of servant. Read this from I John 4,
20-21 If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.
Here is a song that we sang in church last Sunday that explains the role of servant
The Servant Song
David Haas
Will you let me be your servant?
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant too
We are pilgrims on the journey
We are travellers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load
I will hold the Christ light for you
In the night time of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear
I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through
Will you let me be your servant?
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant too
Written by: Richard Gillard
Album: We Give You Thanks
Released: 1998
The Curious Pilgrims 