The King a Servant

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 19, 1902

The King a Servant

THE King of kings is “that great Shepherd of the sheep.” It is written by the prophet, concerning Bethlehem: “Out of thee shall come forth a Governor, which shall be Shepherd to my people Israel.” The king is the one who feeds the people, and his authority is in proportion to his power to serve. It is not usually so in this world, but so it ought to be. Jesus said: “The princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matt. 20:25-28. In proof of this, Jesus, in immediate connection with his being lifted up upon the cross, “knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God,” and that he was Master and Lord, washed the feet of his disciples. John 13. Not only so, but he tells us that when he reigns supreme in the kingdom of glory, and all his faithful followers have been gathered to him, ‘He shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.’ Luke 12:37. The King of kings a table waiter! There we have proof that the greatest king on earth is the one who does most for his fellow creatures.—Selected.