Jesus Our Chief, as Our Servant

"43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 43-45)

In churches throughout Christendom, the emphasis is on "Serve God!" or "Do What You Can for Jesus!" or "Give Your Life to Christ!"

Yet Jesus told His disciples that the greatest among them would be their servant, and the chief among them would be their slave.

Many read these passages, and then go about trying to serve everyone.

Have we not read what Jesus said to His disciples before He died on the Cross?:

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 5)

Paul reminds us that He is our life, and not the other way around:

"1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3: 1-4)

and also

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

We need God to serve us, because we cannot do one thing for ourselves.

In the Bible, the perfect picture of this godly dependence appears with Jesus as the guest of sisters Mary and Martha of Bethany:

"38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10: 38-42)

The one thing needful: sit at Jesus' feet, let Him serve you, and in that capacity we treat Him as the Greatest and Chiefest in our lives.