MATTHEW 20:25-28: “But Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” NLT

OBSERVATION: What happens in life when the title fades? The job I connected my identity to no longer exists. The children I raised have all grown up and have lives of their own. The dream home I built has been sold, and I have moved into smaller quarters. The church I pastored has a new pastor, and I am simply a part of a congregation.

When the title fades…do I fade with it?

This was the thought that rushed to my heart as I read this familiar account in Matthew. The context of Jesus’ words was the disgruntled reaction of 10 of His disciples to the request of James and John’s mother. James and John’s mother had asked Jesus if her two sons could sit on His right and left hand when Jesus came into His Kingdom. Naturally, like any mother, she believed her two sons were the best of the bunch!

How did the rest of the disciples react? They were downright angry! What nerve! What gall! “What about me?”, they thought. What will my title be? What will my position be? I want a purpose! I want a favored position! I want to be noticed!

I WANT A TITLE!

How did Jesus respond? He leveled the playing field. There would be no titles, no hierarchy, in the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God would not model itself after the world. The disciples of the Kingdom would not vie for position. They would not seek recognition. They would not fight for the spotlight.

The disciples of God’s Kingdom would SERVE!

Jesus used two words to identify the disciples of His Kingdom. The first word is servant. This was a common term for one who waits on tables. It was a common person who ran errands for those more important than themselves. It was not a title any Jew wanted to take for himself, and surely not the title that James and John’s mother wanted for her two special sons!

The second word was slave! This was one of the most repugnant titles to a Jew that one could give them. They had been slaves under the rule of Babylon for 70 years and now found themselves subjugated under Roman rule and occupation. No Jew wanted to identify with a slave. This was the lowest title one could receive!

Yet, these are the two titles that Jesus said identified a true disciple of the Kingdom of God. They were really more than titles. They were the calling of a disciple of the Kingdom. We are to be just like Jesus. We are to do what Jesus did. He is our Lord and Master. Therefore, we need to model our lives completely after His. Jesus then reminded His disciples why He had come to live among them.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NLT

There will come a day when our earthly titles will all be laid down. I will retire from my job. My children will all be grown up and moved out of the house. I will no longer be accumulating in life but will find myself divesting of a lifetime of achievements and possessions. I will no longer be the pastor of a church. I may even no longer be a husband or a wife as I say goodbye to the one whom I spent my lifetime loving.

I will no longer have a title.

BUT I WILL STILL HAVE A PURPOSE!

My purpose and calling will still be the same. It will be to help and serve my Lord Jesus Christ and others. I can always help and bless someone. I don’t need a title to do this. All I need is an open heart and a willingness to walk in the footsteps of Jesus! There is always someone with a need. There is always someone to comfort. There is always someone who needs encouragement.

When I find my purpose and identity in helping others, I discover my purpose and calling in being a disciple of the Kingdom. I also discover something else equally important. I discover my value and fulfillment as a human being. I was created to serve! I was created to love! I was not created to accumulate or seek recognition!

I was created to serve, to be a bond slave of Jesus Christ, my Lord!

Last year, during our annual 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer, I felt the Lord speak these four words to my heart. “PROMOTE JESUS…HELP PEOPLE!” Toward the end of the year, I started to forget these words. I found myself tempted again to promote myself (much like James and John). Now, as we are in our 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer, I am brought full circle.

Helping others is my purpose. Helping others is my calling. It is not to be noticed. It is not to gain a title or win an award. It is to live for the honor and glory of my Lord Jesus Christ. It is to be a happy servant, a faithful slave, of the Kingdom of God, and like Jesus, give my life to others. It is to…

PROMOTE JESUS…HELP PEOPLE!

Father, grant me the grace to lay down my life, as Jesus laid down His, and serve others willingly, joyfully, and fully!

In Jesus’ Name!