I’ll take lesser known names of Christ for 500, Alex.

Ok. The answer is: The title Jesus took for Himself as a means of contrasting greatness in His kingdom vs. greatness in the kingdoms of the world.

Um . . . What is Deacon or, in the original, Diakoneo?

Correct!

A dispute also arose among [the disciples], as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And [Jesus] said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the One Who Serves.

(Luke 22:24-27 ESV)

“But I am among you as the One who serves.” Literally, as the Diakoneo. Chewing on that this morning. Evokes awe and conviction.

Evokes awe because this is the Christ we’re talking about, the Word. The Word who was in the beginning. Who was with God and was God. Who made all things, “and without Him was not any thing made that was made” (Jn. 1:1-3).

So call Him El Shaddai, God Almighty. Declare Him to be El Elyon, the Most High God. Bow before Him as El Olam, the Everlasting God. But El Diakoneo? The Servant God?

A catalyst for wonder because this is the Son of God we’re talking about. The radiance of God’s glory. The exact imprint of God’s nature. The One who upholds the universe by the word of His power. The One through whom, in these last days, God has made His appeal to all people. (Heb. 1:1-3)

So speak of Him as Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Will Provide. Point to Him as Jehovah Shalom, The Lord Is Peace. Gather to Him as Jehovah Nissi, The Lord My Banner. Stand fast in Him as Jehovah Tsidkenu, The Lord Our Righteousness. Follow Him as Jehovah Raah, The Lord My Shepherd. But model Him as Jehovah Diakoneo, the Lord Our Servant? Hmmm . . . did I mention awe AND conviction?

“But I am among you as the One Who Serves.” Yes He is.

Not only did He come 2,000 years ago “not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45), even now He is the great Diakoneo, the One Who Serves, though He is always the One Who Reigns.

Even now, through His Spirit, He is the One Who Serves in us. Enabling, empowering, engaging in our struggles against the flesh and our propensity to be drawn by the temptations of the world. For “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

Even now He is the One Who Serves at the right hand of the Father where He lives always to intercede for us (Heb. 7:25). His desire? To save to the uttermost. To save to the fullest extent. Having saved us from the penalty of sin, He continues to serve us in order to save us from the power of sin and, eventually, from the presence of sin.

And to the end — to the saving from the presence of sin — He is the One Who Serves as He prepares a place for us. Working now in anticipation of that day when He will come again and take us to be with Himself, “that where I am you may be also” (Jn. 14:1-3).

Jesus is the One Who Serves!

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Might I reflect Him more as one who is content to serve.

By His grace. For His glory.