Servant King

February 4, 2008

By Greg Ebie

The Bible tells us Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve others. Think about that. Jesus doesn’t want to just sit at the table and make demands on others; Jesus wants to let you sit down so He can take care of you — more than that, He wants to provide for your every need because He came not only to serve but to give His life for you (see Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45).

Years ago, and what seems like a lifetime ago, I was a manager at a restaurant. I can tell you from firsthand experience that people who sit at the table to be served can be very demanding (especially on a Sunday afternoon after church, but that’s another story).

Now picture Jesus in a situation like that. People have heard that He heals the sick, so more and more people are coming to Him looking for help. Jesus is given no rest; instead, one person after another "places an order" and waits for Him to deliver.

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36, NIV).

I’m surprised by this verse. I would expect it to say that when Jesus saw the crowds He was overwhelmed by their needs. How could He possibly help all these people? Instead, it says Jesus had compassion on them. I think the key lies within that word "compassion."

Jesus was not just doing a job. Jesus loved those He came to serve. Jesus was not going to lay down His life simply to meet all the demands placed upon Him by needy people. Jesus gave His life because He loved us.

Jesus serves with a heart of overflowing love. Now how do you think that should change the response of those sitting at His table? How should it change our hearts and our service to others?

— D. Greg Ebie is senior pastor of Praise Assembly of God in Garrettsville, Ohio, and an author of Daily Bread devotionals.