Jesus said that He (the son of man) did not come to be served by to serve.  We are to follow His example.  But does that mean that Christians in general or Pastors in particular must engage in every menial task that presents itself?  Does it mean that we cannot have a healthy "no"?

     I believe that God wants us to have healthy boundaries.  Part of healthy boundaries is having a healthy "no", an idea that there is something that is not your responsibility, that you do not choose to make your responsibility.  The word no is a boundary.  It is only when we have a "no", that a true and unreserved "yes" becomes an option!  Otherwise we serve grudgingly and out of compulsion and God isn't please by such service.  I would even argue that it is unhealthy for us to serve in any and every capacity; to say "yes" to every request!  The point isn't that  you have to serve in any and every capacity, but you serve in the capacity that God calls you to serve in.

     In the gospels, Martha got upset with Mary, because she was listening to Jesus and not helping with the dishes.  Jesus said that Mary made a choice; she was serving Him by learning from Him.   Later on, I guess, she would apply what she learned or pass it on.  That was the way in which God had called her to serve others.  What would have happened if she had gotten up and done housework "like a good girl" because, after all, she was identifying with Jesus who said He had come to serve and not be served?  Countless opportunities to pass on the gospel may have been lost!

     The first question that we must answer; the one alluded to by our Scripture verse for today, is whether or not we are going to serve.  If we identify with Jesus; if we are His disciples, if we are Christians, then the answer is already a yes.  The next question is; "How do you serve?"  What is it that God has called you to do that you can do and no other?  If I'm called to be the Pastor, then that involves preaching the Word, administering the sacraments along with and under the direction of the board of elders and so on.  For someone else, it may involve cooking a meal, washing the floors or something else.  If as Pastor I try to do everyone else's job; I never get around to serving God in the way I am best equipped to!  Ultimately our service is not to please others; but to please God by serving God by serving others in the way God has called us to serve.  (Was that a run-on sentence?)  The difference is sublte, but important.