“For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” ~Matthew 20:28
Jesus was the perfection of divinity clothed in humanity. Legions of angels stood at His command, yet He humbly and compassionately served those in need wherever He went. Knowing He was to die on the cross to meet our ultimate need for salvation, Jesus did not skip a beat. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, resurrected the dead and taught the multitudes. Jesus ministry was only about 3 years, but scripture tells us something remarkable about what He did within such a short span of time. According to John 21:25, “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.”
By the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus helped an untold number of people. He is the epitome of selfless service. And because that same Spirit is alive within each of us, we too have been equipped to partner with God to meet the needs of a hurting world. 2 Corinthians 5:20 says “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.” An ambassador is defined as “a person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity.” We are Christ’s representatives on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit to change people’s lives for the better.
With the Holy Spirit working within us we are encouraged and equipped to love and serve others as Jesus did. Romans 12:13 encourages us to “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” You only need to watch the news for one day to see there’s a great deal of need in the world and many hurting people. God hears all of their cries, and He uses us as the answer to their prayers. We are God’s hands and feet on this earth. So, when someone needs a hug, God uses our arms to hold them. When someone is hungry, God uses our money to buy the food; our hands to cook and feed them. When someone needs to know that God loves them just as they are, God sends us to deliver messages of encouragement and hope. To serve others is an honor, and our selflessness and generosity is recognized and recorded in Heaven. “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.’ ~Matthew 25:40
Jesus had a heart for people. And if we are to conform to His image, so should we. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can follow Jesus’ example. And, as we help others, we are uplifted in heart and spirit. Sometimes the best way to work through difficult seasons in our lives is to go out there and help someone in need. While we’re selflessly helping others, God is working in someone else to meet our needs!
Prayer: Father, we lift your name on high. We magnify you in our hearts right now. Help us to magnify your love as we meet the needs of others. There is so much pain in the world today. Many of your children are suffering silently. By the power of the Holy Spirit, show us the lives that are connected to ours. Show us where you need our voices, our hands, our feet. May they see you and know that you heard their cries. May they see your grace, your glory and your boundless love for them. We ask these things in the name of your beloved Son, Jesus. Amen.
On Earth As It Is In Heaven - 30-Day Devotional 