| The Ministry of Comfort |
Chapter 15 |
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On one occasion Jesus taught His disciples the lesson with special clearness, setting in contrast the world’s way and His own: “Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister; and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” Thus He taught that the noblest, the divinest, life is that which seeks to serve. He is greatest who ministers.
This does not mean that the servant in a house is greater than his master or his work more pleasing to God – the master may serve more truly than the servant. It is not by the position, but by the spirit, that the rank is determined. The law of love requires us to look upon every one with a desire for his good and with a readiness to give him help, to do him service. As St. Paul puts it, we are debtor to every man, owing to each a debt of love and service. If this mind that was in Christ Jesus be in us, it will inspire in our heart kindly thought of every one. We will think not so much of having friends as of being a friend, of receiving, as of giving, of being helped, as of helping. We will not press our service officiously on any one – this is an error always to be avoided. We will not over help – nothing could be more unwise or unkind. Nor will this spirit make us obsequious or patronizing in our relations to others. On the other hand, nothing is manlier than the love which our Lord enjoined upon His followers as the very badge of discipleship, and whose portrait St. Paul painted so inimitably.
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