Servants

Good Morning!

Jude said it. James said it. Peter and Paul both said it. “…a servant of God…”. Each of these leaders of the early Church were quick to point out their relationship to God and to Jesus Christ as that of a servant. So what does this mean? Well, the term translated means “bondservant” – a choice made by a servant to commit his life to a master. Here is some background:

Deuteronomy 15:12-18 (English Standard Version)
12 "If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold[a] to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. 13And when you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty-handed. 14You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As the LORD your God has blessed you, you shall give to him. 15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today. 16But if he says to you, 'I will not go out from you,' because he loves you and your household, since he is well-off with you, 17then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same. 18It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, for at half the cost of a hired servant he has served you six years. So the LORD your God will bless you in all that you do.
Footnotes:
a. Deuteronomy 15:12 Or sells himself

Jewish law permitted slavery – but not slavery as we know it from American history. As you can see in the passage, the servant was to be released at the end of the sixth year – and the master was to not let him leave empty handed. But the servant could choose to stay with his master – and if did so, the choice was for life.

Why would a servant make that choice? Some obvious reasons would be the safety and security the servant found in the home of the master. A good master took great care of his servants. He provided them with adequate food and shelter and clothing. A good master looked after his servants – and for good reason – the appearance and demeanor of his servants reflected upon him. Taking care of his servants was the responsibility of the good master.

Servants of a good master knew this – and responded with a willingness to obey the requests of their master. They did what he asked – they went where he said go – and they represented him well. They were proud of their master.

So, when I think of these great men of God choosing to become bondservants of God and of Jesus Christ, I see a picture of men who saw a good master and made a wise choice. And I am encouraged to say them, “Jim, a bondservant of God and of Jesus Christ.” I hope that those who see me realize that I have a good Master … I really think He is the best.

Agape’

Mr. Jim
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Miss N remains in Southern Regional. X-rays reveal an intestinal blockage. The doctors hope that it will clear itself up (it does so in 80% of the cases) by resting the stomach – no food or drink. That’s the latest news. Thank you for your prayers. --- Mr. Jim