Service

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

These were the words of US President John F. Kennedy at his inauguration ceremony in 1961.

"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve ...."

These were the words of Jesus Christ, about 2,000 years before JFK.

Today is Presidents' Day in the USA, a national holiday meant to honor the 44 men who have served as the nation's Commander-in-Chief, from George Washington to Barack Obama. Many lofty presidential words, quotes, and speeches will be broadcast far and wide today in honor of these 44 presidents, and JFK's 1961 quote will be among those which are broadcast the most of all.

JFK's words indeed are laudable. I have no idea if JFK based his words on those of Jesus, as found in Matthew 20:28, or not; however, on this Presidents' Day, it is a good time to remember our purpose, and the reason why we do ministry: not to be served, but to serve others. Jesus gave us Himself as the perfect example of this. It is an example that we must follow in ministry and in life.