We Serve Like Jesus

For some people, the best thing about having chicken for dinner is the "wishbone." After you finish eating, two people each hold one side of the wishbone, close your eyes and make a wish. Then you pull on the wishbone until it breaks apart. The one who gets the biggest piece is supposed to have his or her wish come true. (If you have a wishbone, allow a boy and girl to try it.)

Have you ever wished for something? On the count of three, say out loud what you wish for: 1, 2, 3. (Pause for responses.)

Sometimes we make a wish without thinking about what would happen if our wish really came true.

Have you ever planned to have a picnic and it rained? Perhaps you sat and watched the rain and grumbled to yourself, "I wish it would stop raining." What if that wish came true and it really stopped raining FOREVER? There would be no grass, no trees, no flowers. Rivers, lakes, and streams would dry up, and all life would begin to disappear. This world would be a miserable place if it stopped raining, wouldn't it?

James and John were two brothers who were disciples of Jesus. One day, the two of them came to Jesus and said to Him, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask."

"What do you want Me to do for you?" Jesus replied.

"In Your glorious Kingdom, we want to sit in places of honor next to You, one at Your right and the other at Your left." You see, they thought Jesus was going to set up an earthly kingdom, and they wanted to sit beside Him on the throne. They wanted to share in His glory and greatness.

Jesus answered, "You don't know what you are asking." Then He explained that whoever wants to be great must be a servant of all. He said, "For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give My life as a ransom for many." 

I don't think that being a servant was exactly what James and John were wishing for!

Sometimes you and I may say, "I wish I could be more like Jesus." But is that really our wish? If we really want that wish to come true, we must live as servants the way Jesus did. Only then can we be truly great and show God’s love to the world. 

Dear God, help us to mean it when we say, "I wish I could be more like Jesus." Please show us each day how to become a greater servant to those around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.