This verse is in an interesting scenario in the gospels. Jesus and the disciples had just arrived in the city and Jesus asked them, “Hey boys, what were you discussing out on the road?” Mark tells us that were afraid to answer because they had been arguing about who would be the greatest in heaven. I’m picturing it like this… Peter says, “Well, He’s called me the rock. He’s always singling me out.” John says, “Well, I’m His beloved one.” Andrew says, “Well, I’m always the one who walks by His side peppering Him with questions.” Then Jesus calls them together and says, “Listen, if you want to be the greatest, you must be the least. You must serve others.”
I believe that those who have the most prominent positions in heaven we have never heard of. It’s not those who rose up in the ranks of the church with their incredible voice, amazing talents, or by selling a million books. It’s not those who were at church every time the doors were opened, those who worked tirelessly in ministry, or those who have lots of followers. No. The one who is most prominent in heaven is the one who spent their life serving others. Heaven rejoices when God’s people serve others.
Here's the thing… serving others does not have limits. Jesus demonstrated this in John 13 when He washed ALL the disciples’ feet, including the one who had made a deal with the devil and would betray Him later that evening. Serving others is NEVER limited to those who are kind, generous, and loving. It’s not limited to those who are easy to serve. Serving means helping anyone the Lord puts in our pathway… even those who are difficult, those who have hurt us, or those who are ungrateful.
Serving others means that we are willing to put our needs, our agenda, our plans aside to come to someone’s rescue. It’s willing to stop what we’re doing and meet the needs of someone in need. Serving others is a GREAT way to show Christ’s love and to bring a light into someone’s darkened world. Our servant heart might be a pathway for someone to come to know Jesus.
This is speaking to my heart today. I haven’t always been good at serving. So, today I’m asking the Lord to show me who He wants me to serve. And how I can serve them. I’m asking God to open my eyes and show me someone who I can come alongside of. I believe that when we ask God to show us, He will. Will you join me today?