Day 266, Year 1

The Greatest Servant

“But the greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11 NASB)

Having understood the supremacy of the Lord Jesus and the dignity of His followers, the disciples are no longer afraid to be servants in our community. The whole Bible indicates that God’s people are industrious, while the lazy are to be punished. One basic reason is that when we believers have a vibrant relationship with God, we are often full of strength and wisdom to work on various things that are useful and beneficial. Today’s verse notes that although the disciples were also brothers, there can still be distinctions of greatness and smallness. The greatest believers in the community are servants who have been called or chosen by God and are approved by the majority. In this way, their services can be most effective. The great ones are not to be pampered and only to give orders, but to become servants of the community to serve everyone. Indeed, believers who are familiar with the Bible’s wisdom and understanding can help and serve many. By serving others as servants, we can avoid manipulating others and reduce unnecessary stress in the community.

Jesus anticipates the growth of His church. One key to achieving this is found in today’s verse. In secular communities, it is often the powerful or wealthy who are idle, and eventually corrupt and heading to destruction. Meanwhile, in God’s community, the greatest become servants, and the wise become leaders. Whereas new believers accept the service of others, and maturing believers learn how to serve others by relying on Him. When believers get old and can no longer serve others, they step back and allow someone capable to take their places. This design prevents a small group of people from enjoying power and privileges at the expense of the entire community, thus diminishing the destructive force within it.

Indeed, some believers learn best in faith while serving others. For such people, their minds are activated alongside their hands and feet in motion. In this way, their minds are energized. Thus, these people regard labor as the major means of happiness. Serving others has become a necessary means for them to grow. In the meantime, some believers who dislike accepting the services of others also need to break through certain psychological barriers. They dislike embarrassment or being indebted, which leads them to refuse to be served by others and even to be helped. But Jesus establishes the church community so that believers can break through the confines of their own personality, thus allowing all believers to grow in an all-rounded manner.

Reflection questions:

1) Do you enjoy laboring? If not, what are some ways that could make you more industrious?

2) Is serving others or receiving services from others more difficult for you? How would you overcome it in either way?