“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
The other day, I was rear ended by someone on the way to work. Already running late, this was not something I was thrilled about. And unfortunately, it’s not something I immediately responded to very well either.
For context, I just got my car a few months ago. Being that it was the first car I am paying for myself, my heart sunk the moment I unexpectedly jolted forward, as all I could think about was the cost this was going to result in.
By the grace of God, this was my first accident. But having heard horrible stories of people taking advantage of one another in the past, I whipped out my phone real quick and was planning on capturing as much information as I could.
But stepping out the car, mumbling aggressively, I was met with quite the apologetic man. Immediately my heart settled from rage and was more so in shock at the concern this man had for me. My first reaction was to look at my car, while his was to ask if I was okay.
In this moment, my brain did everything it could to switch the words that were on their way to my mouth from rage to mutual concern.
How evil are our hearts to be more concerned about materials than human beings?
After hearing his apology, I shook his hand and we went on our way as there seemed to be no damage and no need to build some shallow argument.
But as I walked away, I was more stunned at the way his peaceful nature convicted my heart than anything else.
How could I have forgotten? How, with Christ in me, could I still see possessions more valuable than people?
Growing up with a family that worked hard to provide for everything we had, it wasn’t until that moment that I realized how much I allowed my perspective to be so skewed. My parents and grandparents didn’t work hard for things. They worked hard for the people they loved. Material things came and went, but the memories they could create and the blessings they could be to one another is what they still hold fast to today.
Follower of the God of Love, forgetting the purpose we have on this earth may very well be blinding us to what truly matters.
Jesus came, not to be served and given all the riches on this earth. Though He deserved it, He chose to come and serve, love, and give grace to others.
My car was not an easy thing to obtain. It cost me years of saving money and will continue to cost more in maintenance in the future. But it will never be close to the value of another human being. Stranger or family, we were called to love. We were called to sacrifice. To go the extra mile and carry each other’s burdens. Not because they earned it, but because of the call God has given us and the value He has placed within each of us.
Philippians 2 tells us:
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 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, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
Philippians 2:1-8
Belonging in Christ isn’t meant to stop within our heart. Our actions, mind, and spirit should be consistently responding to the expression of love on the cross.
As a new creation, one united with the merciful and graceful God we serve, our life should be driven by what moves His heart.
A life with Christ isn’t for our sole benefit, but for the purpose of bringing glory and praise to the One who saves while spreading that Good News to everyone nearby.
Even Christ, in all His glory, humbled Himself to the point of death so that we would have a chance to accept the love of God the Father and participate in His plan and purpose behind creation.
As we walk among a world so broken, fighting off the selfish flesh within us, may we remember the point of it all. May we remember Who we are doing this for and how loving others is what He describes reveals our love for Him.
My dear friend, would we not grow blind to the reality that all we have, we are only stewards to for a limited time. What will never cease is a life changed and saved by Christ. Every thought and action we take has the power to feed the egocentric nature of this world that encourages fighting against your own brother and sister or those thoughts and actions could water hungry and lost souls with the only truth that can ever satisfy them.
Thoughts To Consider:
When something unexpected interrupts your day, what does your initial reaction reveal about what you value most?
Have you ever allowed the protection of your possessions, time, or comfort to become more important than caring for someone in front of you?
How does Jesus’ example of servanthood challenge the way you approach your everyday interactions?
Consider a life well lived may have less to do with what we manage to keep and more to do with the love we choose to give.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
Leave a Reply