Adams Towing service got some bad press in August 2009. One of their trucks was pictured in newspapers all across the country. It was damaged and partially submerged in a backyard swimming pool with another vehicle in tow. Law enforcement officials outside of Buffalo, New York said the 25-year-old driver was texting on one cell phone while talking on another when the crash occurred. Nicholas Sparks hit a car, crashed through a residential fence, sideswiped a house, and then came to a stop when his tow-truck rolled into the pool.
Coincidentally, Stanford University released their research on multi-tasking during the same month. Their findings, which were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, restated the obvious. Professor Clifford Nass noted that the prevailing thought is multi-taskers are skilled geniuses. "Instead", he concluded, "they're lousy at what they're doing" much of the time. Take it from Adams Towing, there's something to be said for singular focus. (Source: Houston Chronicle)
Today, in America, we have a hunger to have “it” all…to be multi-focused! We want to be materialistic, powerful, high level positions, great favor in the eyes of men, AND seen as spiritual. If God gives you those things, great. However, they are not to be my key pursuit. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, the church’s pursuit ought to be following Jesus, reflecting a clearer image of Jesus, and drawing ever so close to Jesus.
A visiting preacher to the local church asked one of the key men in the church this question, “what do you do?”
The man replied, “Well, I teach an adult SS class, I serve as an usher, and I often welcome people as they walk through those doors.”
The preacher said, “No, I was wondering what your occupation is.”
“Oh,” he responded as with no real significance, “I am a partner in a law firm.”
This church member had genuine humility. He did not come to church to be served, but to serve others. The disciples are not thinking of the life of service they have seen modeled before them by the Christ. Instead, they focused on what they might gain. Jesus Christ – the God-incarnate – could have had great wealth, high ranking positions, and all of mankind bowing down to Him during His earthly ministry (that day will happen though!) …and yet, Jesus had a different focus altogether. We must heed the example of Jesus and focus on the real reason we are still here – to serve the One true God with willing sacrifice and bring glory to His name! (I Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17- 23)
Background of text:
The parallel passage found in Matthew 20:20-21 actually reveals that James’ and John’s mother did the asking, however, they did come along with momma. She asked if they might sit on the Lord’s right hand and on the Lord’s left hand in glory. The Lord said that was not His to give, nor is it the purpose of heaven. The other disciples heard about the conversation and the Bible says they were “displeased with James and John.”
The Lord’s answer follows in Mark 10:42. He says that in heaven, who is great among you shall be your servant…and the one who is the greatest will be the servant of all! The greatness known in His kingdom will be that of humility and devotedness to the service of others …and then the Lord says this about Himself in verse 45.
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Our journey on this earth is not all about ourselves. It is about the One who is greater than us!
Jesus did not come to earth to be served
He was more than worthy to be served, but God the Father’s plan was something different. John 3:16
Jesus came to earth to serve
Required Humility –
Matthew 18:4; James 4:10
Humility manifests selflessness –
I Thess. 5:15; Phil. 2:3; Lk. 6:35
Jesus came to earth to GIVE His life a ransom
This is His grandest service of all! The King of all came to be the servant of all (Phil. 2:8). He even served mankind to greatest possible extremes: Jesus gave His life a ransom for many! He pays the sin debt. Jesus died for all, but only those who accept this gift receive the actual ransom available to them. (Rom. 10:9-10, 13)
We must follow the genuine purpose Jesus modeled during His earthly ministry! So, consider these possible opportunities we have today to serve others!
o Visit those in nursing homes (consistently!)
o Remember special days (birthdays & anniversaries)
o Faithfully pray with and for others
o Help others feel seen and heard
STOP listening to respond…START listening to understand
STOP interrupting…START asking questions and wait for a complete answer
STOP embracing visual or mental distractions in conversations…START embracing a disciplined focus in conversations
STOP allowing yourself to do all the talking in a conversation…that is not a conversation. If the conversation ends when you have finished doing all the talking, you just performed a monologue. START asking questions about the other person with genuine interest. People will talk when they feel secure in the relationship and know you are genuinely interested in them.
o Help others with practical needs
o Help others with spiritual needs: gospel living (modeling and encouraging a relationship with God) and gospel sharing (beginning a relationship with God)
o Develop discipling relationships
Deepening your relationship with Jesus will point you to the direction of serving others. Dig deep and find God-given purpose while you remain on this earth!