Tag Archives: servant

Jesus the Slave

Church Bulletin, Jesus, ,

It is a strange thought that Jesus was a slave. But the facts are there. He was a servant, a slave of the Father as he calls us to be. No one likes the idea of being totally devoted to the point that you surrender your will to someone else but isn’t that exactly what our Lord did? And if he did it, shouldn’t we?

Jesus’ subservience to the Father began when Jesus came to Earth. Previously Jesus was with God in heaven (John 1:1-4) but willingly chose to surrender his divinity to come to earth . Look careful at Paul’s description from Philippians 2:5-8.

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. “

Notice first that Jesus “took the form of a servant” and  he “humbled himself by becoming obedient.” Our Lord was in the form of God and was Good. Through him all the Universe was created. Yet when the time came he “made himself nothing.” That’s a pretty good description of a slave don’t you think? Nothing. The Corinthians were told, “though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor…”(2 Corinthians 8:9). That’s another good description of a slave. Poor. We ought to add that this change, from divine to denigrated, was a choice. Not a requirement. The text says that “he humbled himself.” Now no one chooses to be a slave, or do they?

Jesus, praying to his father just hours before his death , said, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do” (John 17:4, emphasis mine), and “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world” (John 17:18, emphasis mine).  Just like a slave, Jesus did work that was assigned to him and went where he was sent. Like a slave. Obedient.

Jesus was not just a slave but he was also an example for other slaves. We claim the name for our own – we are Christians. Are we Christians in name only? Or do we adopt the lifestyle of Jesus? There are always many who would be masters. Plenty of folks want to be in charge. What the Lord needs are workers, slaves if you will, who will go where they are sent and accomplish the work they are given.

The true Christian life is that of a servant. An underling who obeys. A radical concept really but one that was demonstrated by the Savior.

There is another crucial fact about slaves. They are rewarded by their master. In Revelation 5:5 Jesus is described as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” and as one who has conquered. And again in John 17:1 Jesus prays for his own glorification which comes after he has accomplished his work. Just like Jesus glory awaits us. If we serve as Jesus served we will sure be glorified as Jesus was glorified.

All of this makes me consider my own pride and haughty spirit. Let me pray that God will humble, gently I hope, so that I can be more like my Lord.

-Bryant Evans

Christian Slaves

Church Bulletin, Daily living

Servant. Slave. Neither title is very appealing to us. Master. Leader. Boss. These are better terms for us. More appealing. Comforting. Encouraging. Rewarding.

But there’s a problem. Christians aren’t called to be bosses. We’re called to be servants and slaves. Used almost 150 times in the New Testament the terms are frequently used to describe Christians. In Acts 16:17 Paul and Barnabas are called “servants of the most high God” because it was obvious they were doing his work. In Romans 1:1, in the first verse Paul calls himself a “servant.” In Romans 6:6 we learn that we are all servants. The only question is who we belong to.

Let’s consider some things about the life of a slave.

Slaves Work

The purpose of a slave is to work. He does things that may not be particularly attractive but still needed. A slave who does not work but only watches from the sidelines while others work is slothful.

Slaves Work When They Are Told – Not When They Want

A slave arises when he is told, works when he is told and rests only when is work is done. Paul often struggled with his desires versus what  the Lord wanted. (Acts 16:6-12; Romans 1:13)

Slaves  Do the Work They Are Told  – Not What They Want

It might be that someone wants to be quiet and just watch from a comfortable distance. There is no such option for a servant. He does the work the Lord assigns. Among those commands in the Great Commission and the requirement that we evangelize (Matthew 28:18,19).

Slaves Aren’t Bosses

This may be where the rubber really meets the road for modern people. We all want to be bosses. But there is only room for one at the top. It’s not the preacher, it’s not the elders, it’s not you. It is Jesus of Nazareth who died and bought the church (Acts 20:28). He alone is our master.

Slaves Are Dependent on Their Master for Everything

A slave has no possessions and depends solely on his Lord. His future is completely tied to his Master. As Jesus said, a servant is not above his Lord (Matthew 10:24). That is an important reminder to those who think they can “do church” better than what Jesus said. The faithful, reliable servant looks forward to the final reward (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

It is useful for us to give thought to our lives and how well we fit the description of servant. Let’s gladly trade our visions of earthly glory for a slave’s job. We will be well rewarded.

Do you think we have the right view?