This week we will continue to explore 7 ways Jesus showed love, love that we can seek to replicate to those around us.

5. Serving

Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:25-28

I remember taking a group of men to the poshest restaurant in Recife, North East Brazil. This place was amazing, as you arrived in the car park they parked the car for you, took our jackets in the smooth air freshened marble floored entrance. Inside was a table about 10 meters long full of various meats, veg and fruit, along with rice’s and pasta, regional dishes and local delicacies. As we walked in these men I had taken were in a trance, like aliens landing on earth. 

They just froze, then gradually were shown to their seats, tucked into the table, a napkin put in place and a drink poured. 

The reason this service stunned my mates was that they had spent their lives serving the most hurting, broken and lost men in Brazil. 

“the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

They had given everything to love these guys through acts of selfless serving, giving time, food, money, energy and love to rehabilitate other men breaking free from drug and drink addiction. 

In this moment they were suddenly being served, lavished and cared for. 

This is just a basic example but when it comes to Jesus, he just kept on serving. He gave love to people through serving and living an utterly selfless life. 

This is something I need to learn from, do more of. I need to be ready to love people through serving. 

Image Credit: Jon Tyson