Bearing Fruit devotional
The CEO in the Vest
A devotional on service
Matthew 20:26–28
2:03
A reflection for today
Much of life can become an effort to climb high enough that we no longer have to do the small, unseen work. When James and John asked for places of honor and the other disciples grew indignant, Jesus told them that “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,” because “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26, 28).
Paul describes the same downward movement. Christ Jesus, existing in the form of God, “emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). One pastor tells of a successful CEO who served on his church’s parking team, wearing a bright vest and welcoming cars. Asked why, he said his soul needed to remember that he was a servant.
We serve because Christ first served us, all the way to the cross. Small, hidden acts of service are one way He trains our hearts away from status and toward love: the floor that needs sweeping, the chairs that need stacking, the person at the edge of the room who needs a welcome.
A simple practice
Pick one small task today that no one will notice you doing, like picking up trash, holding a door, or refilling the coffee. Do it quietly, for God alone, and let it remind you that you follow a Savior who came to serve.
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