How can I be a better servant?
Question:
I was reading Mark 9 and I came across the passage where Jesus says that the one who wishes to be great in the kingdom of heaven must make himself a servant and I wanted to know how I could go about being a better servant. Because I'm homeschooled I don't get out of the house much so I'm mostly around my family, although I will be going to college in the fall, so I'll have more opportunities at that time. I want to be more of service, but I'm not sure how to proceed except doing to obvious chores and what not.
Answer:
To understand a passage well, it is best to look at it in the context given:
"They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, "What were you discussing on the way. But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me"" (Mark 9:33-35).
As Jesus and his disciples journeyed to Capernaum from Caesarea, a dispute broke out between the disciples. Jesus didn't intervene immediately but waited until they arrived at the house in which they would be staying. He asked them what they were arguing about on the road, but none of them were willing to tell Jesus that they were arguing about who would be the greatest in Jesus' kingdom. But Jesus already knew what the argument was about. The argument was probably triggered by Jesus' statement in Caesarea that his kingdom would soon be established.
Calling a child to his side, Jesus told his disciples that unless they became like a child, they couldn't even enter the kingdom of heaven. This statement has been used by many people to make all sorts of points, but there is only one point Jesus is trying to get across. "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:4). The disciples were jockeying for position in the kingdom, but what Jesus values is humility. If a disciple wants to be pleasing to the Lord, he must put himself last and act as the servant of all.
It is not enough to be humble. Jesus points out that his people must be willing to accept those who are humble. To receive a humble follower of Jesus is to receive Jesus himself.
Therefore, when someone asks you to do something for them, whether it is a parent, a sibling, or someone at church, consider whether your first impulse is to think about your own personal inconvenience or that you would like to help. When you are putting the needs of other people ahead of your own needs, you are serving others.
