Serve Somebody

March 23, 2015 Monday Message:

“The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve…” Mark 10:45a ESV

Consider that the best form of government may be a “Benevolent Dictatorship.” The initial reaction of most people is, “No way! Dictators are evil!” And when they’re working in the world with mammoth egos to feed, you’re right - the general population oftentimes suffers.

It’s different when God is the dictator. The key is benevolence. There are rules, standards and directives, but they are for our own good. God loves us. God, who is in charge of everything, saw mankind was in trouble, and even sent his own Son to help solve the problem.

When Jesus walked the earth, he never held his status over anyone. In fact, quite the opposite. Jesus, living under the

Romans, was quite familiar with oppressive rulers. “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.”

And here’s how Jesus feels about that: “It shall not be so among you.” He explains, “Whoever would be great among you must be servant of all.” And he leads by example, sacrificing his own life so that we might live: “The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many.”

I’m OK with the dictatorship; Jesus is my King!

Norton Lawellin

Each Sunday, Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, March 29, Dan Pilla speaks on the Triumphal Entry.