Serving Jesus

For many Believer's the idea of serving is frequently on their mind. However, the balance between serving and sacrifice is often a challenge. Within the body we are granted a plethora of opportunities to serve, for the needs are many. Still, there is a definite plan of operations the LORD has for our lives. Saying, "yes" to something God has not purposed for us to do, may very well, hinder our serving in the area which is best. In so doing, we rob ourselves of blessings purposed for us and can cause our service to feel heavy or joyless.

Oswald's devotional focuses on the servant hood of Christ Jesus. Our LORD confesses to his disciples; "I am among you as the One who serves" (Luke 22:27NIV). Our Master spent his time in ministry serving the endless needs of others as an example we are to follow. He bent his knees before the blind and crippled as well the idolater and thief. Jesus spent his days in complete surrender to serving others. His very life was an act of service. I believe this is why Jesus was so moved by the expression of service in those he encountered.

I think of Mary Magdalene who sought the Lord one evening, compelled to honor Him with her sacrificial gift of perfumed oil, tears and praise. Her sacrifice was great not only because it was worth a years wages, but more so because she sacrificed man's opinion of her to honor God: her service was both silently and openly rebuked and ridiculed by others. Nonetheless, while Jesus reclined at the table, Mary anointed his feet with oil and tears in an act of pure devotion. Desiring to convey her love and appreciation she humbly knelt at Jesus'feet in praise and worship. For her heart was compelled to express itself and she could not wait.

Can you not see Jesus, sitting there quietly enjoying the sweet moment: his beloved child showering Him with affection?

When we lavish the LORD in this manner of unabashed service, it may be offensive to others. This is a risk Believer's must take to have an impact on the heart of God. For we should seek to please our King not man. In this story the host, silently chastised Mary for her affection and Judas openly rebuked her expression of love. Yet Jesus proclaimed she would always be remembered for her sweet worship: for she humbled herself and served her Master with all that she had: she gave her time, treasure, her hands and hair.

Long after Mary was gone, the fragrance of her service remained. For some it may have been a repugnant smell. Does not man measure himself at times against other's. The self-righteous host believed the gift of his company and a meal was grand, until a woman shamed him with her generosity. Likewise, the greed of Judas rose to the surface as he felt the loss of coin in his pocket: how quick he would have sold the perfume and stolen some of the proceeds. And yet, the lingering scent of Mary's gift, was no doubt to Jesus, a sweet reminder of a giving heart: a heart which was like his own.

When we, like Mary, give generously of our time, talent and treasure in service, we also anoint the feet of Christ. For we are told, that whatever we do in the name of Christ we do to Christ. Therefore, our gifts of service to others is service to the King. We know this...right?

Sit with this for a moment. Do you sometimes wish you could embrace Jesus physically? or kiss his holy hands and feet? Have you desired to serve you LORD personally as Mary and Martha, Peter and John did? We can absolutely experience the joy of washing the LORD's feet or tending to His needs by taking hold of others in love. Though we embrace Jesus symbolically, there is no loss of effect on Christ.

When we grasp this reality in our spiritual lives, it will transform our service. Suddenly the burden of serving as duty becomes an expression of love. We then will leap to serve our family, friends, body and community with eagerness and joy. The cry of our hearts will be, "Oh! Let me wash his feet! I want to clothe them! Take my ____! When service becomes opportunity to shower Jesus with affection, we move the heart of God and prompt Him to say;

"She has done a beautiful thing to me," (Mark 13:6NIV).

While the world trips over themselves to serve and honor celebrities and the like, Believer's should be crazed about serving Jesus. When we stop and consider how truly silly it is to clamber about in order to cater to a mere mortal, just because they can perform in some way, we discover the folly of fame. Man makes a fool of himself for what? the hope of an experience or a gift of charitable and empty praise from another? At best, man can only grant us the appreciation of praise or toss us a trinket of dust. But, when we fall all over ourselves to honor and experience Christ...we receive something of everlasting value: His praise, and token of gratitude.

Imagine your pastor announces Jesus was coming to town for a visit and needed a place to stay, food and someone to tend to a variety of ministry needs. Would not the congregation line up to fill these roles. How light and joyful is service when it is for the LORD. Oh, how I pray that the church will see Jesus in those around them. Thus be compelled to remove their outer garments and FIGHT to: pick up the bowl and wash the Master's feet, anoint His head with oil and shower Him with love. Would not the church become a blessing to God and a sweet fragrance in the world if it served Jesus like Mary?

LORD, let us fight and clamber to be first in line...to serve You... and nothing else.