The Surprising Side of Jesus - A Deeper Dive
Scripture: Mark 10:42-45
Editor’s note: Just a reminder, in this and all future editions of A Deeper Dive, we are including a link to the full content of the sermon from our worship service. You’ll find the link at the end of the article.
message recap
This week, we honor and celebrate our volunteers. Those dedicated individuals who work in plain sight and behind the scenes to make Ocoee Oaks the loving community of faith it is. From liturgists to singers, A/V techs to hospitality, folks who take care of maintenance around the building, and our team of prayer warriors. Our volunteers are the church.
To our volunteers, we say thank you for your unwavering dedication, your sacrificial love, and your willingness to serve God through Ocoee Oaks. You have helped touch lives, transform hearts, and strengthen our church and community through your blood, sweat, tears, kindness, and compassion.
Volunteer Appreciation Sunday is not just about acknowledging our volunteers' hard work and commitment. It's also an opportunity for us to consider the deeper meaning of service in the context of our faith.
Imagine for a moment being one of Jesus' disciples. You've followed him, witnessed his miracles, and listened to his profound teachings. Yet, one day, he surprises you as he starts speaking about servanthood and equating it to greatness. His words are nothing short of astonishing, if not confusing, to those listening.
In this week’s scripture, Jesus teaches us that true greatness is found in servanthood. He turns conventional notions of power and authority on their head. In the world's eyes, greatness is defined by power, fame, and wealth. But Jesus redefines greatness as a life devoted to serving others, humbly putting their needs above our own. The volunteers we honor today exemplify this message. They selflessly dedicate their time and efforts to serve our church family, our community, and the world beyond.
Jesus introduces the concept of servant leadership, where leaders see themselves as servants first.
“43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant”
Those who aspire to be great in God's kingdom should lead by serving and putting the well-being and growth of others at the forefront of their actions. In a time when the expectation was for people to worship their leaders, Jesus taught the exact opposite. What a radical thought this would have been.
Humility is at the core of serving. It's an acknowledgment that we are not the center of the universe. Instead, we exist to serve and lift up others. True humility allows us to connect with people on a deeper level, regardless of their status or background. It was usually the lowliest of house servants that was to wash the feet of the master and guests. Who was it that washed the feet of the disciples in the upper room?
Jesus emphasized that greatness in his kingdom involves selflessness. It means sacrificing our desires, comforts, and ambitions for the sake of others. A selfless heart requires us to give without expecting anything in return. The world measures success in terms of wealth, status, and influence. Jesus challenges us to redefine success by considering the impact we have on the lives of others.
Jesus' words are a call to action for every believer. We are all called to be servants, regardless of our roles or positions in life. It doesn't matter whether we serve in the spotlight or behind the scenes. In the words of Mother Teresa, "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving."
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, also reminds us about the importance of serving others:
“13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Living in the freedom of Christ is not about focusing on ourselves. It is about seeing God's love for us and striving to serve each other with that same love. Our volunteers do just that by serving one another humbly in love. They are the hands and feet.
Jesus reinforced the importance of serving others by describing the judgment we ultimately must face. He told those listening,
“40 The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
Jesus tells us that we should not only serve each other but specifically serve those struggling. When we serve the marginalized, the downtrodden, and the forgotten, we serve him. Jesus identifies himself with the most vulnerable among us.
We often think of service as mundane. We might even consider tasks that help others as unpleasant. But in God's eyes, service to others is a sacred endeavor and a spiritual exercise that strengthens us and brings us closer to God.
Servant Leadership
What if the leaders of the institutions society depends on, such as government, schools, and corporations, acted as servants?
Traditional leadership places the leader at the center. All those within the sphere of influence are there to support the leader. In contrast, a servant leader prioritizes serving the greater good. They don’t prioritize their own objectives.
Many mistakenly believe that the reward of leadership over others is power, glory, and prestige. Jesus’ disciples, John and James, fell into this trap when they asked Jesus to place them at his side when he assumed his throne in the kingdom to come. Jesus’ response provides a clear description of servant leadership:
“25 Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”
There seems to be an endless supply of people wanting to “exercise authority” (Matthew 20:25), but few want to follow Jesus' model of washing his disciples’ feet.
What if our leaders acted as servants? Politicians might focus on the needs of their constituents rather than on the next reelection campaign. Business leaders might focus more on the welfare of their employees rather than solely on the bottom line. If our leaders presented themselves as servants, perhaps we would see trust in our institutions restored, improved morale, and an end to the cynicism that seems to dominate our world today.
The church is in a position to demonstrate the value of servant leadership. Our goal is to equip God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up (see Ephesians 4:12). Within the church, we don’t follow the examples of the world. Our example is Jesus, who came as a humble servant. Our mission is clear: to give of ourselves in service to others.