Upside Down
"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
Insight
These words from Jesus turn everything upside down, don't they? In a world obsessed with status and self-promotion, Jesus redefines greatness as servanthood and giving your life away.
Everywhere Jesus went, crowds swarmed him - the famous rabbi and miracle worker. People wanted a piece of him, to be seen with him, to bask in his presence. But Jesus saw right through all the celebrity hype. His life was never about being served, but about serving others.
Look at the Last Supper for example. As the disciples jockeyed for position, arguing over who was the greatest, Jesus got up, grabbed a towel, and started washing their filthy feet - a job relegated to the lowest servant. While they postured for praise, Jesus knelt down and showed them what true greatness looks like - a life of self-giving service.
It's the same way of living Jesus defines in the Sermon on the Mount. The truly blessed people, Jesus says, aren't the rich, successful, and powerful. It's the humble, hungry, mournful, and persecuted who are blessed - the forgotten ones the world overlooks. Why? Because they've embraced the way of selfless service and surrender.
Over and over Jesus flips our human values on their head. "You have heard it said, but I say to you..." He takes our cultural assumptions about winning, fame, and self-promotion, and replaces them with a radical call to authentic humility and selfless love.
This is the way of Jesus - the upside-down life - a path He modeled from birth to death. God's own Son didn't come to be served by the universe he created, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for humanity. From the manger to the cross, it was all about radical self-giving love for others.
And if this is how the Lord of the universe lived, how much more should it define the lives of his followers? As Paul says, we should embrace "the very mind of Christ Jesus" - taking on "the form of a servant" by "humbling ourselves" just as he did (Philippians 2).
This is our high calling as Christians - embracing a posture of selfless service. Not to earn God's favor, but in response to being radically served by Christ. Having received his self-giving love, we now extend that same humble, others-centered way of life to the world around us.
In our me-first culture, servanthood seems so counter-cultural. But it's exactly the kind of lifestyle Jesus modeled. It's the true path to human flourishing and the only way to change the world through self-giving love.
Reflection
Jesus said "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant" (Matthew 20:26). How does this reshape your understanding of greatness? What examples of true greatness through service have you witnessed?
Scripture encourages us to have the same attitude as Christ who took on the nature of a servant. What most challenges or convicts you about modeling this mindset in your daily life?
Further Practice
For one week, purposely choose the humble jobs/tasks whenever possible (taking out trash, cleaning, etc). Do so without seeking attention, appreciation, or notice. Consider your attitude as you go about these tasks while thanking God for an opportunity to serve and reflect His love.
Prayer
Jesus, you embodied a radical upside-down way of living - embracing humility, serving others, and giving your life away in love. Forgive me for the times I have pursued selfish ambition. Help me to have the same attitude as you, taking on the form of a servant and walking in self-giving love each day. Amen.