This morning we are come together to remember a man and the life he lived — that perfect man who, though he was the Son of God, humbly ministered to those he had been sent to save. It is in obedience to the direct command of our Savior that we assemble together to remember his sacrifice on our behalf. By thinking of Jesus and all that he accomplished, we can reflect on our individual lives and consider the ways in which we ought to change.
Not only has God provided us with the perfect template, but also His Scriptures abound with examples of people from whom we can learn. Of course none of them were without fault; some were downright wicked, while others started out badly then finished well. Like us, they were weak and prone to fail. Living a godly life is not easy; in fact, it is a constant struggle. Nevertheless, there were many faithful servants who put their trust in God. Amongst those was Phebe (Phoebe in the NIV) who received this lovely commendation from Paul: “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also” (Rom. 16:1,2).
The servant
It is the word “servant” that we wish to focus upon. In the context of Phebe the Greek word for servant is “diakonos”, the word from which we derive deacon; it means a minister, waiter or attendant. We see then that our sister Phebe had dedicated her life to serving her brethren and sisters in the ecclesia in whatever way she could. Here indeed is an example to emulate. Whether male or female, we have an obligation to serve the family of God, ministering with our various skills.
Another word for servant is “doulos”, meaning a slave. Having being born free, it is difficult to imagine the life of enslavement. The slave was the property of the owner, having no rights, possessions or choices; he or she was expected to respond to any command from the master with total obedience.
In many ways, this is similar to our relationship with God. We were purchased with the blood of the Lamb that He provided. At baptism we died to ourselves, and now we belong totally to God. Paul, John, James, Jude and Peter all start their letters stating that they were slaves in the service of God. But there is one big difference between our circumstance and that of the poor wretches who suffered under enforced enslavement in the first century. The life of slavery upon which we embarked was not entered into under duress but willingly. We chose to become slaves/servants of our Master in heaven, and we are at liberty to turn away from him if we foolishly choose to do so. Nevertheless, there are similarities, as is demonstrated in one of the parables of Jesus: “But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say to him by and by, when he is come in from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink. Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him?… So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do” (Luke 17:7-10).
The Greek word for “servant” here is “doulos”. Luke is saying that, having chosen to become servants/slaves of the Lord God, we recognize that we must regulate our behavior in accordance to our master’s will. People usually appreciate recognition for services rendered, but the slave could expect none. This is the message that the Lord Jesus was trying to impress upon his listeners. However hard one works for the heavenly Master, his servants/slaves are only doing what is expected and required. Therefore we should not expect accolades for doing our duty.
Today we are constantly bombarded with the philosophy of personal rights and freedoms. To counteract this danger, it is necessary to remind ourselves that we have been bought with a price and our lives are not our own. Let us strive to cultivate a state of mind that accepts that ‘I cannot do as I please because I belong to somebody else who desires my service.’
Alert and watching
A servant was required to be on constant alert, watching for his master’s return. This is exactly our situation: “And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return… that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately” (Luke 12:36).
As previously mentioned, a slave had no personal possessions, so it is interesting to note that Jesus urged his followers to rid themselves of treasures that would be an impediment to their walk towards his kingdom: “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:33,34). We do well to consider where our treasure is!
Desiring high status
For many people, high status is to be desired. Human nature has not changed; this was the very thing that the disciples had been discussing when the Lord intervened: “But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you but whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister (‘diakonos’). And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant (‘doulos’) of all” (Mark 10:44). There is a powerful lesson here: even those who obtain the highest of positions — if they profess to follow the Lord as God’s “slaves” — must minister to fellow believers.
Our eternal spiritual welfare depends upon whether or not we have ministered to others. In the parable of the sheep and the goats, the king shall “say unto them on his right hand, Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom… For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me” (Matt. 25: 34-36). Interestingly, the sheep had no concept of doing these things for the king; when they enquired, he told them, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt. 25:40).
Is this our attitude to service? Has it become so natural to be of help to brethren and sisters that we don’t give it a second thought? Our lives need to be an exercise in service but it takes time and effort — although, like most things, the more we practice, the easier it becomes. The ideal is when love and compassion for others takes precedence over concern for oneself.
As always, this ideal is demonstrated in the life of the Savior. Jesus was both physically and mentally drained (he had just been informed of the death of John the Baptist) and said to his disciples: “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while…” (Mark 6:31). Unfortunately, the pressing crowds prevented this period of respite. Putting their needs before his own, Jesus taught and fed more than five thousand people.
The Lord Jesus Christ was the willing slave of God, giving his Father great pleasure: “Behold my servant whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him…” (Isa. 42:1).
Exalted as he is now, sitting on the right hand of God, we must remember that Jesus came as a servant to serve and minister to others. Immediately prior to the dreadful events of his trial and crucifixion, this man who was the Son of God took a towel and washed the feet of his friends.
In this poignant act, there is the supreme example of service. The Lord was demonstrating that “even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Now, as redeemed servants, let us remember him!
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One