As we look at Jesus’ willingness to serve, you will realize the need to become more like Him in serving others. And I pray that as you go through this lesson, you will make some changes in your life. For you to make these changes, you have to possess the mind of Christ. Having the mind of Christ simply means you are clothing yourself with Christ’s humility, with this humility you will recognize the needs of others and want to do something about meeting those needs.
COMPASSIONATE SERVICE. MK. 6:30-44
The disciples had just returned from a ministry assignment and had many experiences they want to talk about Mk. 6:30. Similarly, the crowds that followed Jesus were greatly increasing in size. From early morning until sunset, Jesus and his disciples were surrounded by people looking for help. So this meant that Jesus and the disciples did not even have time for rest. In His concern for the disciples’ physical and emotional well-being Jesus decided to withdraw to the desert where they would have time for rest verse 31-32 but the people still followed them Vs.33.
When Jesus saw the spiritual hunger of the crowd and their desire for Him, He was moved wi th compassion Vs.34 Compassion is more than just having sympathy for someone who is experiencing a difficulty, it also involves having a strong desire to help alleviate the difficulty. Having compassion may involve h av i n g t o i n c o nve n i e n t ourselves while we help others. It is not difficult to serve when our service comes from a heart of compassion. The disciples had concern for the crowd, but it was unlike the compassion that Christ had Mk. 6:35-38. Jesus asked the disciples what resources they had vs. 38. A hasty consultation provided an answer, 5 loaves of bread and 2 pieces of fish.
Jesus then instructed the disciples to organize the crowd into groups Vs.39-40. He multiplied the loaves and fish by His power Vs.41-44. Here the disciples saw a practical demonstration of Christ’s compassion. Our compassion for others who are also in need will give us opportunity to see miracles as we reach out to them.
HUMBLE SERVICE (PHIL. 2:3-8, MAT. 18:1-4)
Many people have a false idea of what humility is. Humility is not a false modesty. Humility is having the proper estimate of oneself. A humble person may have great ability but must not be arrogant. A humble person will serve others not for what he can receive, but for what he can do for others often without recognition. In Phil. 2:3, Paul warned Believers not to allow selfish ambition to govern their service. Jesus is fully God Vs.5-8, yet He did not allow His deity to keep Him from coming to the earth to minister to people Vs.7, He submitted Himself to one of the most horrible forms of death-death on the cross, in order to save people from their sins Vs.8. Someone who does not possess the spirit of humility cannot allow for such. A person of true humility will offer himself as a servant. To illustrate the importance of humility, Christ placed a child in front of his disciples Mat. 18:2. Children are not self- conscious they interact freely and without bias with other children, they do not grudge or hold others to their faults. They easily trust parents and adults provisions and guidance. It is this spirit of humility that we must exhibit in our lives Vs.4. Those who must be truly great must be truly humble.
WILLING SERVICE (MATTHEW. 20:20-28)
There are some who wants to be in positions of authority and leadership, but do not want to humbly serve. Rather they want to exercise authority over others just by being prominent Mat. 20:20- 21, Jesus’ reply to the mother of James and John could apply to some of our desires Vs. 22. We sometimes want positions that would bring us prominence, but we do not want the responsibility that goes with these positions. When you read Mat. 20:24- 28, you will see that the principles of the kingdom are totally opposite to world’s practices. It is understood that the higher the position, the greater the authority. Jesus said “it shall not be so among you” Vs.26. the person who really wants to be great must take the place of a servant Vs. 27. In fact, Jesus Himself came to serve, not to be served, even unto the giving of His life Vs. 28. There can be no greater service than that. And it is with this kind of attitude that Christ wants us to serve others.
