Evan Bahy was elected as Governor of Indiana at the age of thirty-four, making him the nation’s youngest governor. When the Democratic National Committee met in Indianapolis in 1989, He held a reception at his residence. He greeted each guest at the door with the words “Welcome to Indiana.” The arriving dignitaries, who thought he was a young staff member, gave him their coats and walked on into the reception. Bahy didn’t take offense. However, he did take their coats, to the nearest closet, and hang them up.

 

Not long ago, I was asked, by a friend in the church, to watch a series about the life and ministry of Christ called “The Chosen”. While watching the series I believe this aspect of Jesus’ life, his humble human involvement and service, has been the area that stands out the most to me.

 

Though Jesus was truly King of the Jews, He became our proverbial “coat taker”, living out His own words in Luke 22: “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves” (vv. 25–26). Jesus served His people by living among them, healing their sick, soothing their hurts, raising their dead, feeding their poor, forgiving their sins. He didn’t demand honor, though He didn’t refuse it. He didn’t require much, though He gave much. He was slain like a disgraced slave, yet over His head a sign announced: “King of the Jews.”

 

No matter what position we gain in this life, we’re to consider ourselves slaves and to act as servants. What are the chances you’ll encounter a small need you can meet in someone else’s life today? Perhaps your spouse needs something as simple as a hug or a kind word of appreciation. Perhaps your child or grandchild needs a note or phone call of encouragement. Perhaps a soul ‘in need’ needs a random act of kindness.

 

Speaking personally, this is what I must become better at doing in my own life and ministry. “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving” (Rom. 12:10–11). Maybe you also need to repent in this area and you need to ask God to help you be a better servant to those around you. Let us learn to serve like Christ.

 

In His Service,

Eric Barnes