“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…”

Jesus Served Others with Humility

My friend… Jesus, the Son of God, did not come to be served—
He came to serve.

He lived a life marked by humility, sacrifice, and love for others.
He did not seek recognition…
He did not seek elevation…
He chose service.

And as His disciples, we are called to follow that same example.

A true disciple does not strive to be seen,
but chooses to serve—even when no one is watching.

If we are honest, this is one of the most difficult tasks for a person to embody. Satan often attacks us through the part of our brain that releases dopamine.

We often thrive when we receive praise, compliments, honors, and recognition. Although this is not necessarily a bad thing, it becomes dangerous when we allow it to become the foundation of our identity and performance.

Usually, if our traumatic experiences or upbringing involve any type of rejection, we are more vulnerable to becoming trapped in the cycle of what people think or say about us. People-pleasing becomes the shield for our accomplishments.

Consequently, performance, recognition, high status, and so on, become the fuel that motivates and defines success in our lives.

This is where the power of God is different through Jesus.

You are perfectly created and loved by God as a unique being (Psalm 139:14). When we surrender our fleshly desires, the Word of God becomes the living water that satisfies our souls (John 4:14).

This is not just a statement for me—I am speaking from experience.

Being trapped by my past verbal and physical abuse told me I was not enough. Not pretty enough. Not smart enough. That I was broken.

But Jesus rescued me through the power of His Holy Spirit and reminded me that I am enough. I am wonderfully made. I am made whole (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I no longer live for the world’s approval—I live for God’s approval.

So even if no one says anything good or positive about me, I am no longer shaken because my affirmation comes from the truth of God’s promises (Galatians 1:10).

In ministry, it is very easy to get pulled into a popularity contest or to question whether you are accepted by society. But that only happens when your “why” becomes about you and not about God.

I must always center myself on the truth that I am just a vessel used by God—not for my purpose, but for His will and His glory (2 Timothy 2:20–21).

I must also remind myself that religious people rejected and crucified my Lord Jesus (John 1:11; Matthew 27:22–23).

The Apostle Paul reminds us that our goal is not to please people, but God. Otherwise, we cannot be servants of Christ (Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4).

My goal is service to God in humility, surrender, and trust—even when I do not see the final outcome, just as many who came before me in the New Testament and even in this present age.

Heart Check

My friend, take a moment and ask yourself:

Am I seeking to be served…
or am I willing to serve God and others with humility?

The life of Jesus reminds us—
greatness in the Kingdom of God is not found in being lifted up…

but in bowing low to serve God and others in love

Weekly Scripture Mark 10:45 NIV