Jesus Modeled Service

[Jesus said,] “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28

Jesus demonstrated the love language of acts of service when he washed the feet of his disciples. This was a task usually relegated to a servant, so it was shocking for a respected teacher to do—so shocking that at first Peter didn’t want Jesus to serve him that way. But for Jesus this was not one random act; it was a way of life. The sentence that best describes his life is this: “He went about doing good” (Acts 10:38, esv, esv). He himself said that he “came not to be served but to serve others.” Service was the central theme of his life. His ultimate act of service was to give his life for us so that we could be forgiven by God.

If your spouse’s love language is acts of service, then let Jesus be your model. Read the Gospels again, and look for the ways in which he served others. Ask God to give you the attitude of Christ toward your spouse so that you can serve him or her in love.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, your attitude of service is the ultimate model for me. Help me as I strive to imitate the generous ways you showed love to others. Please show me how to serve freely.