Serve As Jesus Would Serve

I once heard a parable trying to explain the difference between heaven and hell. Imagine that in both places, there was a table set with the best pot of stew imaginable. But there was one requirement: you could only use a long spoon for each person.

Do you know the difference between the approach of those in heaven verse hell?

The group in hell did all they could to make the spoon full of stew reach into their hungry mouths, but they grew more and more frustrated as there was no way to finagle the spoon into their mouths.

The group in heaven, however, took a different approach. Instead of focusing on themselves, they used the long spoon to serve those sitting across the table. In this way, everyone was fed and satisfied!

While not biblically accurate in its description of heaven or hell, the parable highlights two radically different approaches to life. We all have needs, but when we focus exclusively on ourselves, we all miss out. However, when we focus on serving one another, we all end up receiving what we need. This is how God has established his kingdom to work.

We know that Jesus did not come to this earth to be served. He came to serve and give his life for us on the cross to meet our most profound and most significant need of forgiveness of sin and extend to us the gift of eternal life. But Scripture goes further than proclaiming what Christ did for us. It calls us to follow in his footsteps and serve as he served.

Philippians 2:3-7 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 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."

Jesus cares not only about our relationship with him but our relationship with one another.

Think about the cross for a moment. The cross not only extends vertically from the earth to the sky to reconcile us to God but horizontally to reconcile us to one another. Jesus's arms were stretched out wide not only to bring us to God but to bring us together as brothers and sisters in Christ despite our differences. We are now called to serve one another as Jesus served us.

So, what does it mean and look like for us to serve as Jesus would serve? I lead an international mission organization called ServeNow (www.weservenow.org). This is the question that fuels us every day. We want to serve as Jesus would serve! And while many examples could be given, I would like to highlight 7 from Scripture.

1). Serving as Jesus would serve means we serve in a variety of ways.

What do you want me to do for you? Jesus asked him. The blind man said, Rabbi, I want to see (Mark 10:51).

Jesus came for one primary purpose, but he served in many ways depending on the person, the need, the desire, the faith, the situation, and his Father's will. At times he taught the crowds. Other times he physically fed the masses. He preached to the many, but he also poured his life into the few close followers. He also cast out demons, healed the sick, worked miracles, and restored people's worth and dignity. He rebuked the Pharisees while speaking tenderly to the broken. He called out the proud while extending grace to the humble. He was friends with sinners and tax collectors. He met people where they were and brought about God's kingdom in their lives.

Serving as Jesus would serve means, we must meet people where they are and serve them according to their need and what we see our Father doing. Our job is to be attentive to the working of God and the needs of people. There is no formula for serving as Jesus served. There is only his example, the leading of the Holy Spirit, and the awareness of where our Father is at work in people's lives and how we wants us to participate with him.

Sometimes people need a word of comfort and encouragement. Other times they need wisdom and counsel. Others may need correction or rebuke. Others need our prayers. Some require us to show kindness in serving in various ways or through financial generosity.

2). Serving as Jesus served means we serve holistically.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come (Luke 4:18-19).