Right Use of Power in the Church—Part VI—Serve, serving, servant…

The variations on the root word “serve” appear in Scripture nearly 1,150 times (in the NIV).

In dictionary terms, the word “serve” is used in the contexts of religion, law, commerce, sports, military, seafaring, and agriculture. Verb meanings range from perform duties or services for (another person or an organization), to work for, be in the service of, obey or be obedient to, carry out the wishes of, be of use to, help/give help to, assist/give assistance to, aid, lend a hand to, do a good turn to, do one’s bit for, do something for, make a contribution to, benefit, minister to, provide relief, carry out, fulfill, present—or distribute--(food or drink) to someone, provide, supply, make available, attend to, give one’s attention to, be useful, fulfill the function of. In nautical terms, it has the meaning of to bind a rope with cord to make it stronger.

Jesus talks of service and serving often. He calls us to “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only” (Matthew 4:10; see also Luke 4:8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”). He reminds us that the Lord is to be primary in our hearts, minds, and lives—taking precedence over other things that would tempt us away from that critical allegiance: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24; see also Luke 16:13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”). He actively humbles Himself (ultimately to foot washing and to death on our behalf), and is clear when He reminds us that we are not to think ourselves above Him as our Teacher/Master: “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master” (Matthew 10:24).

When God the Father speaks about Jesus, we hear: “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations” (Matthew 12:18). The Father refers to His Son as His chosen, loved servant.

When instructing the Twelve, Jesus not only tells them to be willing to put themselves last, but that they are to pattern their lives after Him—who came to serve: Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25-28; see also Mark 9:35: Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Luke 22:24-27 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.)

As Jesus is preparing for His death, He reminds His disciples (and us) that His kingdom is one of sacrifice and service, modeled by His own complete obedience even in the face of soul-troubling anguish: Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” (John 12:23-26)

As Jesus continues to prepare His disciples for His death, Jesus—ever intentional—models the lesson of washing their feet. In John 13, we read “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” This passage seems to tell us that BECAUSE Jesus KNEW where He came from, where He was going, and the role He’d been given—by the Father—to play, He was then able to choose the humility of performing the lowly servant task of washing and drying His followers’ feet. His actions are rooted in His deep and abiding trust in God. Of course, Peter resists having His Rabbi/Teacher wash his feet, and it becomes a teachable moment. The passage then goes on to say: When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13:1-17).

Leaders who serve? Who make serving others their preeminent priority? Leaders who are secure in Jesus and thus in who they are—where they came from and where they are going are the ones best able to humble themselves, putting others first. They see their role as one of shepherd, mentor, coach—helping people grow and become their best selves.

Are you that kind of leader?

Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been Catalyst for Equipping at her church since 1999. Contact her about growing your self- and other-awareness and life/ministry coaching.

Photo (c) Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.