A Thought On Serving

I subscribe to the weekly “Matt Chat” newsletter put out by Matt Anderson. I’m pretty ruthless on what I allow into my inbox, but “Matt Chat” has earned the right to keep coming. Yesterdays thought really connected with me so I acquired permission to reprint it here. Hope you enjoy it.


Matt Chat
“24: Part 1 - February 22, 2010”

There's nothing like a server to bring about an air of superiority in others.

As a youth pastor, my leadership team and I frequented a restaurant after youth services. It was a great opportunity to kick back, laugh, and evaluate the evening's activities. Part of that dining experience was having the same waitress each week. Jen was someone we had grown to appreciate and care about. Occasionally we even had good spiritual conversations with her. She made our group a priority, and we made a point of treating her well and tipping generously.
Unfortunately, one particular evening, another group had a differing opinion. Midway through our meal, I noticed a nearby table having a heated discussion with Jen and her manager. Minutes later, Jen came to our table to check on us but looked visibly shaken. I asked her if everything was OK. She replied that the neighboring table was upset that their iced tea pitcher had a ring around it. Jen reported that the pitcher was clean and that it was common for pitchers to develop rings like that and remain after washing. An angry customer retorted, "Really? If that pitcher is clean then that's your natural hair color." After offering our sympathies for such outright cruelty, Jen added a sentence that shook me to my core. "That's OK; it's just another church group."

Not much has changed in 2000 years. Servers, though certainly paid for their efforts, are still regarded rather lowly in the social order of the day. It's amazing how small people will use a server to project a false air of superiority. I've seen it happen too many times. So how amazing that Jesus, only hours before the climax of human history, would show his superiority. But it wouldn't be with a miracle, a healing, or even prophetic teaching. He did it with an apron. "So he [Jesus] got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. (John 13:4-5, MSG)"

To the untrained eye, the one who receives is greater than the one who gives, but in the Kingdom of Light, the reverse is true. Jesus was performing an object lesson. He humbled Himself to do the lowliest of jobs: cleaning the feet of others...and probably with his hands. What a statement! It's not what I would have wanted to see Him doing. Rose petals should have been laid before Him. Trumpet fanfares should have announced His arrivals. Doves should have been released when He entered a room. But that wasn't the Lord. He knew that by serving these men, it would set the table for what He would do later that same day when He would undergo injustices even more humiliating than this.

We are most like Jesus when we do what others wouldn't. May I just say something to anyone with a title? The moment we become too important to fold chairs, carry tables, or spruce up a bathroom is the very moment we've become useless to God. If you're being served, find opportunities to do the same. Don't fall for the ridiculous notion that you deserve it and "paid your dues" at some point. It's nice when honor is given to whom honor is due, but we're not the only ones deserving honor. Let's love people more than ourselves to do what others believe to be beneath them. In short, Jesus wasn't chauffeured to Calvary.

Likewise, those serving must not do so with clenched teeth and a subtle growl. We must do it "as unto the Lord," even when jerks (or worse, Christian jerks) are ungrateful for the service. Christ is much easier to please and never misses an opportunity to tip.

The world envies the one being carried on shoulders, but the Lord exalts the one who carries. Trays mean more to Him than scepters; aprons are preferred to vestments; and towels are esteemed greater than crowns. Remember that the most significant thing you do this week will only be seen by the Lord. Have an amazing week.


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