Unbelievers are not the only people with problems such as greed and power and selfishness.  The disciples also desired recognition and power. Mark 9:33-37 Who is the Greatest? 33 Then they came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, because on the way they had been arguing with one another about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, He called the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then He took a child, had him stand among them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one little child such as this in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me, but Him who sent Me.” The Bible is full of teachings that seem to contradict themselves:             The first will be last.             The last will be first.             The greatest shall be least.             The least shall be the greatest.             The greatest shall be servant of all.             The poor are rich.             The rich are poor. What is a servant?  A servant is someone who is controlled by another.  A servant must think of the Master and others before he thinks of himself.  A servant is obedient.  A servant is quick to obey.  A servant has no opinion.  A servant is humble. The disciples wanted to rule; they wanted the authority.  Jesus said the way to become great was to become like a little child.  That is, not to become childish, but childlike. In the beginning of their calling, the disciples were often self-centered, hard to satisfy, greedy, power hungry…  Through church history, we see that the disciples became humble, obedient, willing to take great risk for others, others-centered, and easily satisfied. Jesus was called a servant. Philippians 2:7-8 (KJV) 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. How did Jesus serve?  He washed feet, fed the hungry, touched the sick and unclean, loved children, healed women and men, ate with sinners and tax collectors, and crossed social and racial barriers to witness. How can we serve – Believers and nonBelievers?  How can we be servants?  We wash and clean and feed the hungry.  We touch the sick – both our families and our neighbors and church family and the lost.  We touch the unclean; we reach out to the poor and the misfits and the mistreated and the forsaken.  We love children –   even when they are unlovable.  We heal women and men by being faithful in prayer and attentive to their needs – physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, financial, and relational.  We do not fear to be seen with those who have been labeled as sinners. We do not let social and racial barriers prevent us from serving.  We love God; and we love people. What is holding you back?  Pride?  Fear?  Prejudice?  Who do you shy away from and refuse to serve?  Sometimes prejudice isn’t racial or ethnic; it can be social status or fear of risking ridicule that holds us back. Don’t let the enemy win!  Serve!  Serve the Master!  No one is greater than his master!  And our Master was a Servant!  He set the Example!!! **Lord Jesus, please overcome any fears or prejudices or preconceived ideas that are keeping me from reaching out to my family, my neighbors, my community, and my church.  Forgive me for respect of persons.  Forgive me for letting my pride prevent me from being a servant.  Thank You for setting the example.  Amen.