This morning we looked at our identity as servants of God, an identity mentioned in almost every New Testament letter (see James 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Jude 1:1, Rev 1:1, Titus 1:1, Phil 1:1, Rom 1:1, Col 4:7, 12, Eph 3:7 and 2 Cor 6:4). Being a servant is generally not something we are too keen on, though popular TV series such as ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ in the 1970s and ‘Downton Abbey’ more recently show us the importance of servants in a life of wealth and prestige! Nonetheless, we see that it is important to understand our role as God’s servants if we are to live as God wants us to.
God is the boss and we are not! Jesus told many stories about masters and servants (see Luke 17:7-10, Luke 12:35-48, Matt 25:14-30, Matt 18:21-35) and remind us of the authority of the Master. Jesus reminded His disciples that we cannot serve two masters (see Matt 6:24) and that whoever wants to become great must be your servant. (Mark 10:43) The reason we can ultimately view servanthood with different eyes is that God Himself came as a servant (see Isaiah 42:1-4, Isaiah 52 & 53) and thus set the example for us (see Mark 10:45, John 13:14-17, Phil 2:1-11).
Being a servant does not mean being enslaved under oppressive conditions, but understanding that we serve a merciful Master who is worthy of our all (in the words of the hymn, ‘Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.’) Our eyes should look to God like the eyes of a slave (Ps 123:1-2) and we should be like the Old Testament slave who did not want to be set free but whose ear was pierced as a sign of his devotion to his master. (Ex 21:5-6) As we serve God, we are set free to follow our Master’s example and to bless others, even as He served us and gave His life as a ransom for many.