• The LifeWay Bibles Studies for Life lesson for March 24 focuses on Luke 22:19-30.
Jesus could have chosen any number of avenues for his gospel to spread. He could have told us to climb the corporate ladder, build wealth and use our influence to persuade others to follow. He could have set the example for us to be an exclusive group of people who kept to ourselves while cultivating our own personal spiritual growth and communion with God. He could have sent us out as warriors to win the world over by physical force. Jesus could have instructed his church to do anything he desired, but he sent his church to serve the world.
Jesus’ command is clear: It is greater to serve than to be served (Luke 22:26). He said the one who is the greatest among his followers is the one who serves (Matthew 23:11). He has commanded us to serve in humility. Jesus never said we were to serve only certain groups of people or other followers, but to be first, we must be last, and we must be the servant of all (Mark 9:35).
Service breaking down barriers
Jesus’ command and example to serve the world was intentional. Three very powerful things happen when God’s people are faithful in serving others. First, we paint a clear picture of our God for the world to see. Second, through our service, God breaks down barriers to the gospel. Third, God uses our experiences serving together to create strong bonds of love not possible apart from him.
Jesus came to serve. Paul writes, “he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant … he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:7-8). The God who created the universe and holds it in the palm of his hand came to Earth to serve a bunch of broken people. God, who deserves ultimate praise and adoration, humbled himself and came to attend to our needs.
All through the Gospels, we see Jesus serving people. He heals disease, he loves unconditionally, he gives a woman a drink and he washes feet. Jesus’ life was full of small moments of service culminated in the most shocking act of service the world has ever known: He sacrificed his life on the cross for my sin and for yours.
Service announces His love
When we serve others, we tell the world our God loves, our God heals, our God provides and our God sacrifices. Jesus’ plan involved his church telling the world about him through action.
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Through our service, God breaks down barriers to the gospel. It is no secret many people have been hardened to the truth of God’s word. Some people have become jaded because a church was absent during a time of great need. Others have heard only voices of judgment and hatred coming from those who claim to follow Jesus. People have built up walls and hardened their hearts towards anyone and anything claiming to be Christian.
When we serve those who have been hurt, our acts of love and selflessness are used to soften and break down the walls. Action after action leads to brick after brick coming down. God uses our faithful service to bring people back and to ready their ears and hearts to receive his truth.
Service bonds us together
Finally, our service bonds us to one another in a love more powerful than we could ever muster on our own. If you ever have been on a mission trip with a group of people, or worked with others in a difficult situation, you know you share a connection like no other.
Many times, we may embark on an opportunity to serve with those who are different from us—male or female, rich or poor, businessman or laborer, and stay-at-home mom or corporate executive. We have nothing in common. But as we work, side-by-side, our hands get dirty and our hearts break for our world. All the while, God creates a love in us for one another that will never die.
It is no mistake Jesus sent his disciples out to serve with one another. He did not focus on them having time to talk about deep theological truths, or even time to sit together and read the Torah. Jesus wanted them out serving the world, together.
Jesus says if we want to be the greatest, we are to be the servant of all.
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