The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve ... (Matthew 20:28)

Jesus likewise said, "But I am among you as one who serves" (Luke 22:27). Paul's idea of ​​service was the same as our Lord's - "... we are your servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Corinthians 4: 5).

Without knowing why, we tend to think that a person called to ministry is called to be different and to be above others. But according to Jesus Christ, he is called to be a "mat" for others - called to be their spiritual leader, but never his superior. Paul said: "I know how to be humbled ..." (Philippians 4:12, V.M.). Paul's idea of ​​service was to pour out his life to the last drop for others. He didn't care if he received praise or blame.

As long as there was a human being who did not know Jesus, Paul felt a debt of service to him until he got to know him. But the main motive behind Paul's attitude of service was not his love for others, but his love for his Lord.

If our devotion is directed to humanity, we will soon feel defeated and brokenhearted, because we will often find ourselves facing much ingratitude. But if what motivates us is our love of God, there will be no measure of ingratitude capable of preventing us from serving one another.

Paul's understanding of how Christ had treated him is the secret behind his decision to serve others. "Since I have previously been a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a criminal ..." (1 Timothy 1:13). In other words, no matter how badly others might treat Paul, they would never reach the same degree of hostility and hatred with which he had treated Jesus Christ.

When we realize that Jesus has served us to the depths of our lack, our selfishness, and our sin, nothing we find in others can exhaust our determination to serve them for his sake.