Philippians 2: 5-8

Steve Gambill looks at the challenge of living our lives like Jesus lived his

Steve Gambill

Have you ever wondered why Jesus, who is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the image of the invisible God, the creator of all things, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Word made flesh, chose to humble himself as a servant, even to death on a cross?

Today, much of our twenty-first century culture seems to be celebrity obsessed. A chasm exists between those who are served and those who serve. Yet Jesus, our eternal Saviour, was a servant of all. Because of his capacity and ability to serve, he identified with people at every level of life. Prostitutes or princes, criminals or court officials, thieves or tax collectors, Jesus served people. Whether it was as a foot-washer, food provider or turning water into wine, Jesus excelled at serving.

In order to do that, Jesus not only identified with those who suffered, he suffered more than any of us. He set aside his heavenly divinity in order to fully embrace our earthly humanity. He experienced loss, hunger, thirst, tiredness, pain and finally the most excruciating death imaginable. Jesus never viewed his position as an entitlement. He didn't treat others as inferior. Instead he willingly laid down his life. He accepted suffering to such a degree that he even sweated blood and yet he did not change his mission to rescue humanity.

He challenged his early disciples to follow his example to be servants and he is still challenging Christians to lay down their lives for each other today. Whoever wants to be the greatest, must learn to be the greatest servant. Imagine if everyone in your world existed to serve and to give their best so that others could do better. This comes as a huge challenge, but it is also our commission and commandment, 'to love one another'. So let us commit afresh to become more like our Saviour, who was and still is a servant to all.

This week consider:

1. Who, where, how can you serve people better?
2. How can you commit to simple acts of kindness to brighten the lives of the people closest to you and others who will cross your path?