Daily Journal: 18 November

Serving Like A Slave

Matthew 20:25-28 (TLB)

But Jesus called them together and said, “Among the heathen, kings are tyrants and each minor official lords it over those beneath him. But among you it is quite different. Anyone wanting to be a leader among you must be your servant. And if you want to be right at the top, you must serve like a slave. Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”

What do we think about when we think of a slave? Someone whose freedoms and liberties are stripped from them. Someone who lives under oppression and hardship. Someone who is living under tyranny and control.

What does serving like a slave look like in God’s Kingdom?

Romans 5:8 (NCV)

But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

Christ Jesus, God’s only Son, led the way to liberty through obedience to the Father and has taken His throne. He teaches us a new leadership mindset. Not one of tyranny, but of servant-hearted sacrificial love.

How does our slave mentality in God’s Kingdom need to be challenged, in light of how God treats those He calls His own?

Firstly, part of the Mosaic law from God ensured a sabbath rest for all.

Deuteronomy 5:14 (NIV)

but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do.

God’s kingdom for the slave tells us to do what He does. In this instance, He rests, so should we. It embraces self-care.

Matthew 11:28-30 (GWT)

“Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Place my yoke over your shoulders, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble. Then you will find rest for yourselves because my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

A slave in God’s kingdom isn’t to carry heavy loads on our own. We’re to learn from Christ, being humble and gentle, and let Him take the load and take the lead.

Isaiah 58:6 (NIV)

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

Slavery typically oppresses, but God’s kingdom commits to a way that breaks oppression off people. Slavery typically captures, but God’s kingdom commits to a way that looses chains of injustice from people.

Revelation 1:1 (NASB)

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place;

Typically, slaves are dictated to. They're not shown anything. Not so in God’s Kingdom. Being a bond-servant, a slave, is a libertarian choice to serve as if you are bound. Not under oppression, but because of an understanding of a love over-flowing, in a consistent position of grace learnt at the Master’s servant feet. And in that lowly position, we are shown secrets and mysteries as if we are friend.

Psalm 25:14

(NET) The Lord’s loyal followers receive his guidance, and he reveals his covenantal demands to them.

(NASB) The secret [or counsel; or intimacy] of the Lord is for those who fear Him, [and His covenant to make them know it].