12 Days of Christmas: Day #2 Jesus is SERVANT

During the Christmas season, our homes and communities are adorned with beauty and splendor to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We seek to highlight and reflect the joy that is ours because of Jesus, and this is good. 

And yet, Scripture reminds us that one of Jesus’ greatest attributes exists in a less assuming way. It reveals itself humbly, as Jesus takes the lowest position as a servant, with a heart and mind resolutely surrendered to the Father’s will, even to the point of death.

Indeed, Jesus as servant is at the heart of His greatest gift to us. His servanthood is what purchased our forgiveness and redemption. His servanthood is the reason we have hope for today. His servanthood is the example we are called to follow as we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him each day (Mark 8:34).

And while Jesus’ servanthood is less obvious in our Christmas decorations, it is a mark of gospel adornment to which we have been called. We most readily reflect the heart of our Savior when we follow His servant example. 

The Apostle Paul charged the believers in Philippi to do this very thing (not just at Christmas, but as a lifestyle). The believers were charged to serve others, looking after the interests of others over their own (Phil 2:3-4). They were charged to have the same mindset as Christ, “who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death–even death on a cross!” 

Jesus did not seek benefit or comfort; He did not leverage His authority or position, but instead surrendered Himself to the limitations of being wrapped in human flesh and obeying the Father’s will, even to death.  

Indeed, Jesus said, of Himself, that He “came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). He, who had every positional right to be served, humbly chose, instead, to serve others. And, a quick survey of the gospels supports this claim. 

One especially poignant illustration can be seen on the night of Jesus’ betrayal (as recorded in John 13). Jesus took time during His last hours on earth to humbly take the position of a servant, and set about washing the feet of each of His disciples. This was a task usually performed by the lowest of servants but Jesus took the opportunity, with great intentionality, to stop, to stoop down, and to serve each man present by washing his feet. He performed a routine and necessary task with extraordinary love and compassion. And as he finished, he told them to follow His example in this–to serve others as He had served them. 

The hour of His death was fast approaching,and Jesus was well aware of this, and yet He took the time to serve others and to lovingly charge them to make a lifestyle of serving others as well. He wasn’t distracted or rushed. He didn’t miss or neglect serving anyone (including Judas whose lips and hands would soon betray Him and begin Christ’s march toward the cross).

Jesus served the world with His life, and throughout His life He served others with grace, truth, and love. He laid down His rights, His comforts, and His will to serve His father. He sought to serve, and not be served, and, in His grace, He has asked us to do the same.

What if we patterned our life after His? What if we sought to serve others regardless of cost (physical, emotional, or financial), status, or inconvenience?

How does Jesus’ servanthood affect you today? 

How does it impact your adoration and worship of Jesus Christ? How does it give you hope?  How does it increase your joy? How does it affect how you will live your life for Him? 

How (and who) can you serve like Him today? 

Take a moment to pause in prayer. Thank God for the beautiful example of servanthood offered to us through Jesus. Thank Him for His humble offering of His very life for our sake. Confess any ways you struggle to serve Him in return. Confess any ways you struggle to serve others. Ask for forgiveness and ask for His help to have a heart that is softened to serve others. Ask Him to open your eyes to opportunities to serve others for Him each day. Ask Him to give you a gracious “want-to” in your heart to serve others you encounter today–ask Him to especially help you have a desire to serve those who are difficult to serve. Thank Him for His example of service and love.