One of my favourite childhood games was called “Ruler of the World!”, where I would be the leader of a great clan, giving orders to my younger cousins and commanding them to accomplish simple and often silly tasks – like who could hop 20 times on one foot the fastest, or who could count the number of grains on a spoonful of rice the quickest. The winner would become the next great leader. You can probably understand why, over time, I was often declared “Ruler of the World!” – actually, more like “Ruler of My World”, as I would often be the only player left! Tsk tsk… there is no one worthy.
Many of us are trained from young to be rulers or “winners”. Everyone wants to be great and significant, with many serving us. This is the most common way of measuring greatness and success in our times – the greater the number of people reporting to or serving you, the greater the leadership. The game of “Great Ruler” was also played by Jesus’ disciples (see Mark 9:33–37 and also Mark 10:35–37). You could say that this is also biblical, since Jesus mentioned to his disciples in Mark 10:42, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.” Except that – it’s biblically wrong in the eyes of God! In Mark 10:43, Jesus continues saying – “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,” (v44), “and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (v45).
What an upside-down world!
True Christian Service is greatness in the eyes of God
It turns out that the greater the posture of humble service to God, the greater one’s measurement. Jesus said it himself – our significance is measured by how many we serve. The tone of Christian service cannot be divorced from what a true disciple of Jesus is and does. In fact, Jesus even uses the term “slave” to describe the disciple’s posture of service to others. This means that the mark of a disciple – a real disciple – is service! This is an important doctrine and discipline to get right if we want to be well with God.
True Christian Service is redemptive through humility and sacrifice
You might say – this is a given! Doesn’t all service involve sacrifice, some form of humility, etc.? Well, I would say service can involve lots of sacrifices, but not all service is redemptive. There is something about the way Jesus served that brought about a reversal of sin (and/or the effects of sin) that’s redemptive. Jesus gave up himself so that others could gain. Since the fall of Adam, humanity has tried to exalt itself above all. From the Tower of Babel cited in Genesis to the hardened hearts of kings in Revelation 16, many are also persevering, sacrificing and humble – but their suffering isn’t redemptive as it didn’t come with repentance.
True service seeks to bring others (especially the lost, not just ourselves) into the kingdom of God. Jesus calls his love “ransom for many” – fulfilling the price paid for sin. When we serve in such a manner, we model after Christ in our service. In a world that treats volunteerism as a product – like how the disciples served to be recognised, or how even our schools teach our young to score points for every volunteer service – Jesus calls us to be “welcoming” to a child, because children often have no pretensions to greatness. They give and love out of the sincerity of their hearts (at least in their innocence while it still lasts!). That’s the kind of service that is called redemptive kingdom work.
God uses disciples of true Christian service to transform hearts
When Jesus told his disciples about how “the great must serve” and “the first shall be last” (Mark 10:43–44), it defies order – especially social order. These social values often contrast and force disciples to choose which to follow. When a disciple consistently chooses obedience to Jesus, their heart will be transformed; in time, the world too will be transformed. You can see how Jesus’ disciples Paul and James even encouraged others to do the same – and history has been transformed because of them. Look at these verses:
- James 1:12 – Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
- Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
- Philippians 3:12–14 – Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
There is something about such radical service that speaks of the goodness of God, greatness in God’s eyes and the power to redeem. We are all called to persevere in this kind of Christian service, for it is the mark of true discipleship that brings transformation.
Recently, we were privileged to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Nong Bua Lamphu Methodist Church (NBLPMC) in Thailand. Wesley Methodist Church has supported the church since its very beginning. We witnessed God using the faithful sacrifice of mission trippers from Wesley over the past 20 years to transform hearts. Rev Jansuda (also known as Pastor Kluay) recounted how she came to know Jesus through Wesley’s mission trip to NBLPMC when she was just 11 years old. As Wesley continued to love and support them, God transformed her heart to serve, and today she is the Pastor-in-Charge of NBLPMC.
What struck me during the celebration was the number of youths now serving and leading their adult congregation in church services. God is at work again and again – using disciples of true Christian service to transform hearts.
Read Pastor Kluay testimony: https://www.mms.org.sg/post/called-to-serve
May we serve together in the way Pastor Kluay expresses it:
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12–14)
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