The example and teaching of Jesus

No one gives us a better example of how to respond to conditions of diminished capacity than Christ himself. In heaven he was "with God" and "was God" (John 1:1). In the presence of his Father, angels obeyed his every word. Yet he willingly and lovingly stepped into history to become the servant of servants and the husband of a very imperfect and unfaithful church.

No one had more right to be followed. No one had more inherent ability to rule. In the words of Paul, Jesus "made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Phil 2:7-8).

Christ's self-limitation and submission were voluntary. His example was intentional. To his disciples Jesus said, "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. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? It is not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the one who serves"(Luke 22:25-27).