The Power of Servanthood

Christian servanthood is a true demonstration of godly creative authority.

Text for Today – Genesis 24:2 – And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

Look for a moment at this man whom Abraham had given authority over all he possessed.  All that Abraham owned ruled over by this servant.  It is likely, if not very probable, that this servant, probably Eleazar, knew more about what Abraham owned that did Abraham himself.  When I see this picture, I think of the image of a turtle sitting atop a tall fence post.  One thing is very sure about that picture; the turtle did not get there by himself; he had to have help.  Well, in Eleazar’s case, his greatest helpers in rising to his trusted position were his trustworthiness, faithfulness, and loyalty to Abraham.  And from that position, he was charged with the responsibility of bringing a select wife to Isaac.

Now look farther down the road of time and see a lad serving his father by tending sheep and running errands.  One of his errands too him to the military camp of his older brothers.  He came to check on them for his father, and to bring them cheese and bread.  It was there, with Israel cowering before the Philistines and the giant, Goliath, that the errand boy became the emancipator.  This wonderful young servant, David by name, the delivery boy became the deliverer. 

Now look even farther down the road and see the Servant of servants come on the scene.  Jesus, the Son of the Living God, having emptied Himself of all divine privilege, has come to earth as a man, tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin, and ministering under the Old Covenant as a prophet of God.  He healed the sick, caused the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the dumb to talk, and the cripple to walk.  He raised the dead, turned water to wine, walked on water, and fed the multitudes by miracles of multiplication.  He confounded the religious minds and disturbed the order of the day by His doctrine and teachings.  Yet this Jesus, this Son of God, this prophet Who would become King of kings and Lord of lords first demonstrates what it means to be the Servant of servants.  All of His great demonstrations of power were first and foremost in His mind, serving those He came to save.  He washed His disciples’ feet, and said they should follow Him in the same practice of washing one another’s feet.  Now our risen King and Lord calls us to the same powerful calling – SERVANTHOOD.  Let us imitate Him in that role today.

Manna for Today – 2 Timothy 2:24-26; 1 Peter 5:1-11; John 13:1-17;  Luke 9:48