ASPECTS OF SERVANTHOOD

I Was Just Thinking About – ASPECTS OF SERVANTHOOD.

I’m in the process of adding a chapter in a study on Servanthood. The subject is best understood when one arrives at a point of knowing it is not just what one thinks or says that make one a valid servant but what one does. Doing the work of a servant flows out of conviction and commitment of what must be done in Jesus’ name. Jesus, one’s Master, said (Matthew 10:16): “I am sending you (my servants) out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

In that study on Servanthood, the following will be cited: “From an earth-side point of view, there may be some advantages to a political approach to life. Our world is all about who you know and What have you done for me lately? We are primed early on to look out for ourselves and to do whatever it takes to not miss the big break. But if you see yourself as a follower of Christ, that kind of thinking bears little resemblance to His life and teaching. Take for instance the encounter that Jesus had with two of His most committed disciples. An encounter that only goes to prove that even the best of us can still have those political instincts alive and well, down-deep inside.”

The role of the one sent out by Jesus is stipulated (John 10:16), “I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” A similar statement is made by Jesus in John 15:20-21, “Remember what I told you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.  They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.”

The Master’s mission will be faced by many challenges and much opposition. Even from among those who should be identified with Jesus, there has been the presence of forsaking Him and repudiating His Word. Paul addressed the conditions in which the servant of the Lord will minister for the Master. Second Timothy 3:1-5, “There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,  treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

The servant of the Lord follows a higher calling rather than accommodation to secular conveniences. There is a goal and commendation awaiting those who reliably serve the Lord despite the challenges and opposition. Matthew 25:23 states the commendation of the master, when he tells those who he has assigned specific responsibilities, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!”

This will be the anticipated response the faithful servant will hear when all of labors and trials have ended and one is safe in heaven, in the eternal presence of the Master, Jesus Christ.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.