Living In The Light

September 1, Jesus, Our Servant

“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. ”
—John 12:26 LL 259.1

Jesus, the precious Savior, was the majesty of Heaven; but He came to our world and walked among the children of humanity, not as a king demanding homage, but as one whose work was to serve others. He estimated humanity by the price He paid for their redemption. He said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” His constant anxiety and care was not how He could obtain the services of human beings, but how He could aid and bless humanity. His heart had been touched with compassion for a fallen world, and He left the heavenly courts, clothed His divinity with humanity, made Himself of no reputation, “took upon Him the form of a servant,” and “became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross,” that we might be cleansed from sin, and share in His eternal glory. The cross of Christ puts to shame our selfish desires and ambitions, our strife for position and the honor of human beings. Jesus was “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;” and shall His followers expect to be exalted and favored? Christ is our example, and He says to every one of us, “Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” Have we learned this precious lesson in the school of Christ? If we have not, let it be our first work to seek the lowly spirit ofJesus; for we are unfit to become teachers of the truth until we have learned this first great principle of true religion: “Whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” LL 259.2

God forbid that any of us should be deceived. We must study the life of Christ, for by beholding we are to become changed. We must be like Christ or we shall never see Him as He is. We must constantly abide in the Vine if we bring forth the fruits of righteousness. With living faith we must present our petitions to the compassionate Savior, for “without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” . . . We are called upon to be bold, faithful soldiers ofJesus. We need not be weak and inefficient in the work of God. Every need has been provided for in the great gift of Heaven.— Signs of the Times , March 9, 1888. LL 259.3

Further Reflection: : How does the selfless service ofJesus impact how you serve others? LL 259.4