Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)
I’m sure many people will never forget the images of this past week in Baghdad, as three Iraqi citizens climbed up a monstrous statue of Saddam Hussein, and did everything in their human power to bring it down. It took help from American soldiers to topple it, but when they finally did, a celebration ensued that was heard around the world. It vividly summed up the type of leader that Hussein was – a brutal, prideful dictator who forced others to serve and worship him.
What a contrast to the king of kings, Jesus Christ. Born in a manger, the reign of Christ began with very modest beginnings. It depicted right from the start, the type of leader He was going to be – a humble one. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, and not just to serve, but to die for all who would put their trust in His name.
I look forward to the day when I will be united with Him in heaven. There will be no statues of Him to bow down to in forced reverence. There will be no dictatorship rule to fear. Rather, there will be a loving, approachable king that I look forward to worshipping for all of eternity.