“The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister” (Matthew 20:28).  

The art of photography is now so perfect that the whole side of a great newspaper can be taken in miniature – so small as to be carried on a little pin or button – and yet every letter and point is perfect. Similarly, the whole life of Christ is photographed in this one little phrase: “He did not come to be served.” If this had been His aim, He would never have left heaven’s glory, where He lacked nothing, and where angels praised Him and served Him. He came to serve. He went about doing good. He entirely forgot Himself. He served all whom He met who would receive His service. At last, He gave His life in serving! He gave it to save others, and to redeem lost souls. He “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.”

You say that you want to look Jesus, and that you desire to act like Him. You pray that He would print His own image on your heart. Here, then, is the image! It is no vague dream of perfection that we are to think of when we ask to be like our Master. The monks of olden days thought that they were on the way to becoming like Christ when they went into the wilderness, away from other human beings, to live in cold cells or on the top of tall columns. But surely that is not the thought which this picture suggests – such a dream of uselessness! To serve others – that is the Christ-like thing! It is not to flee away from other people. It is to live with them, to serve them, to live for them, to seek to bless them, to do them good, and even to give our very lives for them. That is the meaning of the prayer for Christ-likeness.

In what ways can you look like Jesus today by serving others? How can you become a living photograph of Him to those in your own family and beyond?

Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts on this article! Feel free to leave your reflections and ask your questions in the Comments section below.

God bless you and your family, this day and always.

All for the King’s glory,

Christian

photo by Wendy Musgrave on Lightstock.com

This post is another installment of Miller’s Monday Musings, a weekly series that is published every Monday on our website. The series features selected writings that have been adapted from the works of James Russell Miller (1840-1912), a much-beloved Christian author and pastor who is well-remembered for his practical thoughts on Christian home and family life. Learn more about this weekly series by clicking here.