Dave’s Monday Blast – June 19, 2017

In the New Testament, Christians are called by many different names—brothers, sisters, believers, ambassadors, disciples, children, or saints. Generally we have no objections to being called by these titles, but there’s another one that may not seem quite as appealing—servant. To make matters worse, the Greek word that is often translated as servant or bond servant actually means slave. And not just any slave, but the lowest slave in the house, the one who washed people’s feet as they entered.

Now this may not be how we like to think of ourselves, but those who occupied the highest levels in the early church considered themselves as lowly slaves. In their New Testament writings Paul, James, Peter, Jude, and John all identified themselves as bond-servants of Jesus Christ. Even Jesus took the form of bond-servant when He was made in the likeness of men (Philippians. 2:7). He came to earth to live in perfect obedience to the Father, doing only what He was shown or told, including dying on the cross to redeem fallen mankind.

Clearly, God places a high value on servanthood, but from a worldly perspective, it’s not an esteemed position. When the disciples were arguing about which of them was greatest, Jesus told them, “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave” (Matthew 20:26-27). The way to receive honor from God is by being a faithful servant of Christ, not by worldly prominence (John 12:26). This is counter-cultural and it is also very INTENTIONAL.

But how are we to serve Jesus since He’s in heaven and we’re on earth? When Jesus wanted to teach His disciples the importance of servanthood, He assumed the position of the lowest slave, took a basin and towel, and washed their feet. Then He said, “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you” (John 13:14-15). When in the power of the Holy Spirit, we meet the temporal and spiritual needs of those around us, we are serving Christ.