In a few days we get to send in our quarterly tax payment for those of us who do such things. Others will start getting ready to get their tax stuff together for filing. All of us get to listen to the bloviating about the morality of walls and the charisma of folks after the focus groups dissect the appeal of a candidate that says “first I have to get me a beer”.
How different is the idea of service between politicians and Jesus. Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed said something fascinating, poignant, and important for all of us to know.
“A dispute arose among them, which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For which is the greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”
In the last sentence the present tense of the verb is used that tells us this is an ongoing activity. It extends into the future from an activity that has happened and the activity never ceases. Jesus will continue to serve the disciples and us. He will be with us unto the end of the age, always serving, always acting in mercy and grace so that we can merciful and gracious in our own lives.
