Selfless Servanthood

Recently in church, we have been doing a series entitled, 'serving others '. It has made me reflect on servant leadership, and servanthood. One particular story that has struck me is the story of the woman who anointed Jesus Christ with expensive oil in Luke 7:37-48. She brought the expensive oil and anointed Christ, wiping His feet with her hair. The Pharisee in whose house Christ was dining commented on her sinful life and abuse of the costly oil.

This story has a few nuggets which I would like to  share.

1.Place value on the people you serve

The woman anointed the Lord Jesus Christ with her most expensive oil. John shows that the value of the oil could have translated to a value that could look after the poor. Our service should be such that, at the end the people we serve should feel honored and valued.

2.Emptying oneself of self glory

1 Corinthians 11:15 says if a woman has long hair, it is a glory. The woman in the story wiped Jesus's feet with her hair. Selfless servanthood is pouring out our honor so that others become more honorable and glorious. In Philipians 2:5-7, Paul admonishes us to have the same mind as in Christ who '...emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.

3.Serve against adversity

The Pharisees ridiculed and despised the woman who anointed Jesus Christ. Selfless servant hood does not stop at criticism or opposition. Even Christ despised the pain and shame of the cross for the joy of serving, to deliver the world.

In conclusion, I'm calling on us to reflect on how we serve others. Are we selfless? How much value do we put on those we serve? Are we Christ-like in our service and are we prepared to pay the price of serving  others?

Prisca Makwenda