I thought that now would be a good time to do an entry in my series over service because I am planning on beginning a series on being a servant in the near future. The concept of servanthood, or being a servant is an easy concept to grasp. However, it is often difficult to put the actions of being a servant into practice and to make being a servant part of our daily lives.
When discussing the topic of servanthood, I think the first place to look is to the example which Jesus gave while He was living His life here on earth. Christ took many opportunities to serve those around Him. He even performed the lowly job of washing His disciples’ feet. Christians need to look to Jesus’ example for how they ought to behave towards those around them.
Being a servant is often a characteristic which is looked down upon by those in the world. Today’s society is very much a “me-first” world in which the population is only looking out for themselves. If someone sees a person acting as a servant to someone else, they are scorned and considered weak. This characteristic of Christianity is yet another way Christianity differs from the ways of the world. Christians need to realize that every time they act as a servant to someone else they are possibly opening the door to share God with others. Being a servant is one way a Christian can be a light in this dark world of sin.
Here are a few scriptures to consider when studying the concept of being a servant:
- Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- Galatians 5:13: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
- John 13:3-5: “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”
Related topics and words which may be useful in study: Jesus, help, slave, attitude, humility, humble, lowly, meek
What are some ways your can be a servant to those in your life? How do you think your actions will affect those around you?