Synoptic Gospels 2: Servant of the Lord (2)
Pray Psalm 23.4, 5.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Sing Psalm 23.4, 5.
(The Gift of Love: Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire)
The LORD is ever by my side; His rod and staff with me abide.
A table rich for me He spreads; with oil my LORD anoints my head.
Read Matthew 20.20-28; Mark 10.35-45; meditate on Mark 10.42-45.
Preparation
1. Why were the other disciples “greatly displeased” with James and John?
2. Who did Jesus say would be great among His disciples?
Meditation
It’s a good thing to want to be great in the Kingdom of God. We should all aspire to be effective rulers, with a large domain over which to exercise sound judgment in the Name of the Lord (Matt. 19.28-30). In Personal Mission Field terms, we should always seek and be ready to expand the reach of our ministry, as the Lord leads and gives opportunity.
But not to lord it over others; rather, to serve them. Greatness in the Kingdom is measured by service. Service is simply love in action, bringing the blessings of righteousness, peace, and joy to others at the point of their need. But how does one learn what service requires? Or develop a disposition of soul which inclines to service? Put another way, how does one come to be great in the Kingdom?
By learning, obeying, and teaching the Law of God (Matt. 5.17-19). When we master the Law of God—or we should say, when the Law of God masters us—our natural inclination will be to serve others. The Law equips us to love others, and that means doing for them what we would like someone to do for us (Matt. 7.12). The Law of God prepares us for this. It helps us to recognize unjust situations, opportunities for showing compassion, and specific ways to build others up in love.
James and John were right to seek greatness in the Kingdom—seated at Jesus’ left and right hands! But they and the rest of the disciples and all of us need to understand that greatness is measured in terms of service, which issues from a heart and mind devoted to love, as taught and empowered by the Holy Spirit, Who teaches us God’s Law (Ezek. 36.26, 27). Jesus was the model of such service, and He set the standard for all who would follow Him. Lay down your life. Look to your neighbor. Esteem others better than yourself. Seek to serve and not to be served. Only the Spirit of God can give us the mindset and power for such a way of life.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all” (Mk. 10.43, 44).
Servant is defined as one who is privately employed to perform domestic services.
Or one who is publicly employed to perform services, as for a government.
And one who expresses submission, recognizance, or debt to another.
Slave is defined as one who is owned as the property of someone else, especially in involuntary servitude.
Or one who is subservient to or controlled by another.
The former is paid for their services, the latter not.
One you can voluntarily sign up for, the other not.
One you can walk away from, the other not.
And yet Jesus mentions both positions as a way to greatness—as an attitude of the heart.
And that attitude then leads to doing things—Kingdom work—in the way a servant or slave would do them.
We have chosen to be Christians and to take on the responsibilities accompanying that choice.
We are not free to walk away from those responsibilities and mandates.
To do so renders us out of a job, and also facing a very bad end.
Becoming a Christian is serious business. As Jesus taught His disciples:
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you…
Give to everyone who asks of you…and just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?
For even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?
For even sinners do the same.
And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you?
For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
But love your enemies, do good, and lend,
hoping for nothing in return;
and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High.
For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful” (Lk. 6.27-36).
“The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy” (Ps. 147.11).
What does God take pleasure in, and require of us? To love His Son, and to serve as He served.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mk. 10.45).
All God’s children—His beloved Son, and those who are His followers—are sent to serve.
Reflection
1. Serving is not our natural bent. What is? Why?
2. What can you do to train your soul for more of a servant’s disposition?
3. Whom will you serve with the love of Jesus today?
God wants for nothing and has need of nothing. Yet, when he humbled himself, he produced such great good, increased his household, and extended his kingdom. Why, then, are you afraid that you will become less if you humble yourself? John Chrysostom (344-407), On the Incomprehensible Nature of God 8.46-47
Pray Psalm 23.1-4, 6.
Thank Jesus for His faithful shepherding care. Praise Him for the Spirit, Who serves to make us more like Jesus. Pray for the day ahead, that you may serve others as Jesus serves you.
Sing Psalm 23.1-4, 6.
(The Gift of Love: Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire)
Because the LORD my Shepherd is I shall not want, for I am His!
He makes me lie in pastures green, He leads by waters cool, serene.
My soul He quickens and will bless; He leads in paths of righteousness.
Though I may walk in death’s dark vale, I shall not fear—He will not fail!
Goodness and mercy, full and free, shall ever after follow me,
and in the house of God, my LORD, shall I abide forevermore!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: Our Read Moore podcast is concentrating on praying the psalms to seek revival—why we should and what we might expect. Do you ever wonder about what God’s will for you is? Patrick—echoing Paul—makes it clear, as you can see in last week’s Crosfigell. Our current ReVision series, “Pray for Your Church”, teaches us how to pray for the ministries of our church, beginning with worship. And new in our bookstore, our book, The Ongoing Work of Christ shows us how the book of Acts provides a template and footprint for all who take up the work of building Jesus’ Church.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
