“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45

O Jesus, 

You did not come to be served, but to serve. Yet so often I live like the opposite is true—like somehow you need me to work for you. Even in the best light, I betray this false thinking: You are not self-sufficient, but dependent—on me of all people! Somehow, I’m indispensable. But what’s worse is that I often look at all I’ve done for you, and I really do feel like you owe me something, like I’ve earned blessings for my service. Who is God here, me or you? Does the one who made me somehow need me (Acts 17:24–25)? Does the owner of everything somehow owe me (Romans 11:35)? Yikes! Jesus, please forgive me! You don’t need my service. And you don’t owe me anything. 

Yet, you have given me everything.

You served me and saved me, but not just once—not just at the cross, paying the ransom price for my sin. Yes, you served me there, in the most incredible way. I know it. I believe it. But you serve me still, even right this minute, as I confess how I’ve demoted you and made demands. You serve me now, forgiving me because of your work on the cross, not giving me what my sins deserve, but the grace that I do not. Every spiritual blessing I have comes from you—every right longing, every desire to love others, every inclination to worship—it all comes from you. 

So, would you help me live like this is true?

Help me respond to you with overflowing gratitude, joy, and even service! May I reflect something of your own heart by serving humbly and generously, even when it's completely undeserved. Would you show me how to live for you and others—serving me even in this? I know you will, because it’s the very thing you came to do. 

Amen.