11.15.2012

Radically Different : Servanthood

Yesterday, I announced on this blog's Facebook page about doing a series called Radically Different. Radically different is a series I am doing on how radical the life and teachings of Jesus were and how we can also live radically different lives by following Jesus' example and today features the first installment.

If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all. - Mark 9:35

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
This sounds so upside down, doesn't it ? I mean the world tells us that to become great you have to get an Ivy-league or Oxford education, you have to "make" it in the financial world, become an overnight sensation or discover the cure for cancer. There is no place for becoming last and servanthood !

This is what makes Jesus' statement so radical : in God's Kingdom, the way up is the way down. The way to greatness is the way of servanthood. Becoming the highest means being the lowest first. Wow.

Jesus did not make a name for Himself. He did not publish a single book. He never intentionally drew attention to Himself. He went as low as washing the smelly feet of His disciples and dying the death of criminals. He never felt too big to do anything that would draw us to Him.


Who, being in very nature God,


    did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
    taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    and became obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted himto the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.


Philippians 2:6-11

Do I really have to write more ? I sit here convicted. This is the God I serve, my friends. THIS IS THE GOD I SERVE and this is the example He would have us follow.





10 comments:

Summer said...

Hi Gertrude thanks for stopping by my blog and saying hi! Yours is really cute! I enjoyed looking around and thanks for linking up!

Summer

Sylvia R said...

Such good perspective here! I've have been pondering many of the same points about Christ in His earthly ministry. So much in the world shouts the opposite to us: promote yourself, get in the limelight, rise to the top! How we need constantly to remind ourself of Christ's way of servanthood. God bless!

Anonymous said...

Jesus left His Father's kingdom, He was a King who became a servant. Wow. That humbles me. God requires humility from us, this is so hard, especially in the world we live in today. But it is posible, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Gertrude N said...

Funmi, you are not lying at all when you say it hard. It's something I have to constantly remind myself of because the truth is, my flesh always wants to do the opposite ! Your flesh always wants to feel important and uppity. It's only grace that will allow you to live a life of humility as Jesus did.

Thanks for commenting !

Gertrude N said...

Sylvia, you are so right. The world shouts the opposite everyday ! And that is what makes Jesus so radical. He went against the grain and we are called to do the same ! Blessings to you Sylvia.

Anonymous said...

Great reminder that to be Christ-like is to be a humble servant. This is why all duties done with the right attitude and purpose are honorable, even what we consider mundane cleaning or serving tasks. Being a Christian is NOT about a lot of recognition, pats on the back or your name in lights. God looks inside us to see if we have a servant's heart.

Michell Pulliam said...

Amen my sister! That is what it's all about. We are to serve others and not ourselves! Thanks for the reminder!

Gertrude N said...

Indeed being a Christian is NOT about being in the limelight. Thanks for stopping by A Chosen Remnant. God bless you and have a very beautiful day !

Nicole said...

Love this ...We need to be soooo desperate for Him...that others view us as radical and crazy! following by GFC...blessings Nicole

Gertrude N said...

Thanks for following Nicole ! God bless you.