Jesus, the Ultimate Servant

Jesus Christ, God’s One and Only Son, laid aside His majesty to serve humanity. His death on the cross is the ultimate expression of servant leadership, when He fulfilled the will of God His Father.

Hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, the prophets wrote that the Messiah would be a servant. Isaiah wrote, “See my servant, my Chosen One in whom I delight.” (Isaiah 42:1).

Jesus Christ described Himself as a servant, when He said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Mark 10:45).

Jesus Christ modeled servanthood when He came to dwell among us as a man. He became a servant when He obeyed God’s will. He was a servant when He washed the feet of His disciples. And His supreme act of servanthood came when He died on the cross and gave His life as a ransom for us all.

Henri Nouwen wrote: Our God is a servant God. It is difficult for us to comprehend that we are liberated by someone who became powerless, that we are being strengthened by someone who became weak, that we find new hope in someone who divested Himself of all distinctions, and that we find a leader in someone who became a servant.”

God’s emphasis on servanthood is opposite to the teaching and practice of most secular leaders. Jesus served others. He demonstrated servanthood, showing mankind that real power resides in humble acts of service.

Most leaders demand to be served. But Jesus said that those of Him should lead in a different way. We should not throw our weight around, or let power go to our heads. Rather we should follow His model of servant leadership. Jesus said He “‘did not come to be served, but to serve.’”

Jesus did exactly that. The cross is the ultimate expression of His service.

I pray that you and I will fulfill His call to each of us to be a servant of the Lord. Please join us here on Skid Row, where we are all seeking to become like Jesus, by serving others, in His Name.

If you can’t come to Skid Row, please support our ministries to proclaim His love, by phoning 1-844-FJM-FOOD, or by donating on our website, fjm.org. Or make your check payable to Fred Jordan Mission, and mail it to me, Willie Jordan, PO BOX 12345, Covina, CA 91722.

Jesus said, “To lead is to serve!”

Blessings,

Willie Jordan (Mrs. Fred Jordan)