Forty Days of Praise: Servant
Thursday, April 9th
Servant
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16
Heartbeat of God: pg. 217
During Passover and Easter Week, I am reminded of the tremendous sacrifice Jesus made for us. Jesus was the Ultimate Servant. He came to earth to serve mankind. He lived, suffered and died for our salvation. The crown of thorns He wore – He wore for us. The beatings that He endured – He endured for us. The cross that He carried – He carried for us. Jesus did this out of love for us. That type of love is incomprehensible!
Have you ever asked yourself if you would be willing to die for someone else? I have; I’ve wondered if I would risk my life for someone I don’t even know? The Coronavirus pandemic has set the stage for this kind of sacrifice. How many nurses, doctors and first responders are risking their lives every day to save the lives of total strangers? These heroes are exhibiting the kind of servant attitude that Jesus demonstrated on the cross.
Jesus once told His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down ones’ life for his friends.” Jesus’ love for us is the ultimate love. Ultimate love often means being willing to risk everything that is important to you for someone else’s sake. The people on the front lines do not want to be facing possible death; yet, they risk contracting the virus because they know that they are the only ones that can help those that are infected. They are true servants.
Jesus’ example challenges us to be willing to be a servant. I am inspired by the Christ-like servant attitude that so many are living daily, and I am thinking about ways that I can be a servant to others not only while in the midst of our circumstances but also once this crisis is over. I want to be the kind of servant Jesus was and find ways to help others experience His amazing love. What about you, Sister? As you think about Jesus’ life as a servant and His death as the ultimate sacrifice – what can you do today to show His love and serve someone else? I’d love for us to fill the comment box with ideas of ways we can sacrifice self and serve others in honor of our Savior, our Servant!
For further reading: Philippians 2:5-11; John 13:12-13; John 15:12; 1 John 3:16; Matthew 20:26-28; John 13:3-7, 12-17; Isaiah 42:1
Lord Jesus, You are the Ultimate Servant! My words can’t thank You enough for Your incredible sacrifice on the cross, for washing away my sins and creating a way for me to be part of God’s family forever. No one else could have done this. By becoming a Servant and dying for me, You showed me what it means to empty yourself and truly love others. Teach me more each day how to do this and to become a servant like You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
