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GREATNESS IN SERVICE

SCRIPTURE READINGS
JEREMIAH 11:18-20
JAMES 4:4-10
MARK 9:33-37

The theme for our reflection is greatness in service. To be great means to be an important or a distinguished person. To serve means to perform duties for another person. We can rephrase the theme as becoming an important person by performing duties for others. It is important to note that a believer is first and foremost a servant of God. Serving God extends to the love and care we give to our fellow human beings. It is for this reason Jesus said that “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (Mark 9:37) In other words, whoever serves all, including the least in society, has not only served Jesus but His Father who sent him. We shall examine how to become great through service. The following factors shall be considered;
1. To become great, you must first serve from the bottom(be a servant)
2. To become great, you must serve in humility.
3 To become great, you must totally rely on God as your strength as you serve.

Firstly, beloved in the Lord, to become great, you must assume the role of a servant and be willing to take up any duty and task you are assigned. Jesus has not called us to lord it over others, but He called us into a mission of service. Those who understand the importance of the mission of service and offer themselves wholeheartedly with passion shall become great. “And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35). In Matthew’s account, Jesus said “It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28). Jesus is our perfect example of greatness in service. He served God and humanity through the ultimate sacrifice on the cross “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11). Christians must learn from Jesus’s example. Becoming great does not involve unwholesome competition and destroying the reputation of others. It is simply offering yourself to serve to the best of your God-given ability.

Secondly, to become great, you must not only serve but serve in total humility. Paul admonished us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:6-10). In other words, serving God with a sinful heart and pride does not lead to true greatness. If it must be done, then it must be done well. Paul again admonishes us in Philippians 2: 3-8 that “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Our service to God and humanity must be borne out of the Love of Christ and His compassion. When we serve with faith, love, and compassion, we become completely humbled. Humility is what makes people see greatness in us. Pride rather repels those whom God has appointed to make us great. If you are not humble; you may serve, but your service will not lead to greatness. A humble servant serves with passion and is focused on pleasing his or her master. As he or she serves with passion, humility, and focus, his or her master acknowledges him or her and elevates him or her to greatness. This was the story of Joseph, Daniel, David and above all Jesus our Saviour. My dear friend, I encourage you to serve in total humility at your church, workplace, and community, and the Lord will make you great! Those you serve may be younger or older than you, richer or poorer than you, more educated or less educated than you, regardless of the environment you find yourself, continue to serve in total humility drawing strength from God. In God’s appointed time, he will make you great.

Thirdly, as you serve, there will be opposition and frustrations, but to become great, totally rely on God for He will fight your battles for you. Jeremiah encouraged us, “The LORD made it known to me and I knew; then you showed me their deeds. But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. I did not know it was against me they devised schemes, saying, “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more.” But, O LORD of hosts, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause.” (Jeremiah 11:18-20). In other words, when you decide to serve God in truth and with passion, you should expect opposition and accusations. Some people may become jealous of you because of the grace and blessing of God upon your life as you serve God. My dear friend, the road to greatness is not a smooth one, as you serve God and humanity you should expect persecution, accusation, unmerited criticisms from people who ought to appreciate your efforts. When you find yourself in this situation, let your faith in God give you the hope that the battle is the Lord’s. We are encouraged by the words of the psalmist “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.” (Psalms 91:7-8). Faith in God means serving God and allowing Him to take control over any obstacle that will come your way, we have no power of our own, God is our strength and salvation. Praise the Lord!

In conclusion beloved in the Lord, to become great, we must first be servants, we must serve in humility and last but not least, we must totally rely on God as we serve for He is our strength. May we continually serve God for the rest of our lives and become ambassadors of Jesus in the world. Amen

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)