Not To Be Served, But To Serve

By Gobel Brockman


Back in the 80's I was working at a hospital in Terre Haute. One day we were helping an elderly female patient get out of a wheelchair and back into bed. She was visibly upset, not because of her illness, but because people were having to 'wait on her hand and foot.' She was worried to death she was 'being a bother'. I told her, "If my guess is right, you've probably spent the vast majority of your life waiting on other people, so there's nothing wrong with you getting to be on the receiving end for a little bit." A stunned expression came on her face, and she had no answer other than a little grin. She stopped protesting at that point.

I can't help but love people like that. Folks who not only don't expect too much from others, but actually feel uncomfortable watching others wait on them. It brings to mind the words of Jesus that are the title of this week's devotional: "I came not to be served, but to serve, and give my life as a ransom for many." One thing that I must admit I get irritated at is people who have a sense of entitlement, but the thing is, if anyone ever had the right to feel that way, it was Jesus. He was God in the flesh. Ruler, Creator, and Owner of all. Everything - and everyone - was at His command. But not only did He NOT ask for what was rightfully His, He came and laid down His perfect life for people that didn't deserve it. People like me. Now THAT'S a servant's heart.

I'll close with another story. A minister told a story once about the late Rich Mullins, Christian recording artist, probably best known for his song, "Awesome God". One year at the Dove Awards, there was a pre-show banquet. Things weren't going well and the kitchen staff was running behind. Here were all these Christian artists complaining angrily about how things were moving so slow and how they were having to wait. Then someone noticed Rich's jacket on the back of a chair, but he was nowhere to be seen. Eventually he was found - helping the kitchen staff. A lot of people were humbled that evening. "I came not to be served, but to serve..." May we remember the words - and example - that Jesus has left us as we follow Him.