Serving Others: Jesus's Blueprint for Selflessness

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The radical call to service lies at the heart of Jesus's teachings, yet it remains one of the most challenging aspects of Christian living. Why? Because putting others before ourselves contradicts our natural human inclinations toward self-preservation and self-interest.

Drawing from Romans 12:7, "If service, in our serving," we explore how service isn't merely one spiritual gift among many—it's fundamental to following Jesus. While our natural state can be summed up in one word—selfishness—Jesus calls us to a complete transformation. As John writes, "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." This isn't abstract theology; it's practical discipleship.

The message powerfully contrasts our cultural obsession with fairness against Jesus's example of unfair sacrifice. When we complain about serving others because it feels "unfair," we forget that Jesus received no fairness in his trial or crucifixion. He who created and sustained the very wood of the cross chose to serve humanity at the greatest personal cost, without complaint or hesitation.

In a captivating illustration, we see how Chick-fil-A built a business empire through prioritizing service—demonstrating that even in secular contexts, serving creates value. This aligns with psychological research showing that serving others leads to greater wellbeing and purpose in life. What Jesus commands isn't just spiritually right; it's the path to human flourishing.

The challenge stands: How will you serve others this week? How will you put yourself last so that others might be lifted up? As Jesus said, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." When we embrace this counterintuitive wisdom, we not only become more like Christ—we discover the purpose for which we were created.