Jesus was in a house and called His disciples to tell them, “Whoever wants to be first must take the last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

He was challenging a paradigm that perhaps continues to this day: Deep down, every person desires to be well cared for and recognized.

For this reason, we choose or avoid being in groups or situations that either please or discomfort us. If we are honest, we all like to be in a place where we are attended to and made to feel good.

Jesus, knowing this human need, showed His disciples that there is a much greater pleasure than being served by others: the pleasure of serving and helping others have a great experience.

God’s love moves us to give of ourselves, to bring peace, satisfaction, and even to cause a smile in others. Serving people is a way to make Jesus Christ known in a tangible and powerful way.

This is why the Lord challenged His disciples to be “Number One” in God’s way. There is no greater satisfaction than serving others, for greater is the one who serves.