Introduction

  • When I worked in customer service — seven years as a barista at Starbucks — it was incredibly challenging dealing with people before they had their coffee, but also quite rewarding. I’d get to know people’s names, their and orders, and I’d usually try to have their drinks ready before they paid. Showing kindness and courtesy wasn’t always easy, but it usually brightened people’s day.
  • This year I’ve been thinking about discipleship, and what it means to be more like Jesus. Last month we talked about dedication to the Lord, so let’s continue by looking at servanthood.
  • The Servant Songs of Isaiah (Isa. 42:1-9, 49:1-6, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12) tell of the obedient Servant who shows us the way in serving God and others today. And throughout those beautiful songs, we find the phrase “My Servant“. What a title! So, as we follow the Savior, let’s look at four aspects of Jesus’ service to understand how we can please our God as well.

Do You See Service Clearly?

“I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame” (Isa. 50:6-7).

  • Jesus redefines greatness in the kingdom by calling us to become servants and slaves of all, just like he did (Mark 10:42-54).
  • How can we have empowered love when we yield our rights, walk a second mile, or turn the other cheek (Matt. 5:39-42)?
  • Yield to the influence of what Jesus would do, as you strive to say with Paul, “It is no longer I that live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).
  • Ask yourself: How could Jesus’ perspective change how I view my current challenges?

Do You Live With Humility?

“The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward” (Isa. 50:4-5).

  • Jesus used a towel and a washbasin to change his disciple’s lives (John 13:3-5; 14-15). Rather than making everything a big production, work with what you have.
  • Remember that no matter how far you come, you’re always left as an unworthy servant, doing only what was your duty (Luke 17:7-10).
  • We’ll either acknowledge our smallness now, or we’ll acknowledge it after God brings us to our knees (Dan. 4:28-37).
  • Ask yourself: What might Satan try to use to stir pride in me?

Do You Love Sacrificially?

“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:4-6).

  • Jesus didn’t express love in empty platitudes but on a cross. It’s good to tell people we love them, but we also need to show them (1 John 3:16-18).
  • Examine the motive behind your sacrifices. You can give away everything you own or even lay down your life for someone, but if you don’t do it out of love, it gains nothing (1 Cor. 13:3).
  • Broaden the scope of your kindness beyond your friends and people who treat you well. “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? … if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others?” (Matt. 5:46-47).
  • Ask yourself: What’s it look like for me to lay down my life for others in my day-to-day choices?

Do You Show People Honor?

“He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice” (Isa. 42:2-3).

  • While the world disrespects and disregards the poor and the marginalized, we’re busy serving and honoring them as if they were our King (Matt. 25:37-40). As Jesus says, “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matt. 25:40).
  • In the friendliest of competitions, we “outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:10).
  • We all have moments of weakness, so be ready to apologize if you catch yourself acting disrespectfully. Don’t leave someone with a bad taste in their mouth because of something you said or did without thinking. Like Paul, when he unintentionally criticized the High Priest, we need to admit our mistake and move on (Acts 23:1-5).
  • Ask yourself: Is my respect reserved only for those I view as “worthy”?

Conclusion

  • Will God call you “My Servant“? Are you following in the footsteps of Jesus in service to others?
  • Do you see what true service looks like? Do you humble yourself before the Master and others? Are you loving others sacrificially? And do you show honor to all those made in his image?
  • Let’s be ready for when our Master returns! “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” (Matt. 24:45-46).