Service is something that I have grown up around. My parents have become active in their own ministries, and they have supported mine. Service has become a large commitment for me, but one that I am glad to make. It’s also something that Christ pushes a lot in the gospel.
Jesus is well known for his miracles and teaching. Almost everyone will admit that he was a good man, at the very least. He lived a life in service to others. Most of his miracles were healings, and much of his time was spent with people who were hurting emotionally or spiritually. He never held anything of himself back, never shirked from an opportunity to bless people, and always loved those he served in a way none can match.
The craziest part being that Jesus is the Christ. He is God Incarnate—”The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth,” (John 1:14). Jesus is the Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, and yet he came to serve the lowest. Us. He came to wash us clean of the stains that we cannot be rid of by ourselves. In one of his greatest acts of symbolism and service, Jesus disrobes and hand washes the feet of his disciples. This task was generally given to the lowest of servants; foot washing was the most disgusting chore anyone could have. It shocked all twelve and gave Jesus the opportunity to challenge them: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you,” (John 13:14-15).
That isn’t the end, however. Service isn’t a standalone, do this and you’ll be happy and successful deal. Christ’s most amazing act of love and selflessness—his death on the cross—is the reason for our service. “We love because he first loved us,” (1 John 4:19). His perfect, sinless blood, shed on the cross, gives us hope for a future of eternal life with Him! And his resurrection assures us of its completion. We are called to serve because of how completely Christ gave himself to serve us. Not out of duty—Jesus has done all of the work—but because it’s through service that we grow ever closer to him. Our individual acts of submitting to Christ are what allow us to be perfected into His image. That is how we accept fulfillment: oneness with the Holy Spirit. And “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control,” (Galatians 5:22-23).
That is why I serve now. I have experienced and continue to live in Christ’s eternal love for me. Out of the joy of my transformation I seek to serve God in the way he has demonstrated! To demonstrate the love of Christ and share the incredible news of his conquest over death is the greatest commission in the world. And while I often find myself insufficient—too weak to give myself to others—Christ pours himself into me. My service bring me closer to him, and in every weakness I am made strong in Christ.
