The title of servant
When I first looked at this passage I said (to myself), “Hello? That’s what I get to write about: a simple Howdy Do!? Now there’s some real meat and potatoes to write about!” But as I prayed about this, something was revealed to me. James not only introduces himself but he gives himself a title.
We all have titles, some good and flattering some not. Some of my titles have included: daddy, teacher, class clown, and that-kid-who-has-to-stand-out-in-the-hall-a-lot. Your titles may be vastly different depending on the circumstances, time of life, the people around you, and so on.
James chose to title himself “servant”. He could have used “brother of Jesus” or “leader of the church at Jerusalem” but he picked servant. Not just servant in general but servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. What a way to start a letter. Imagine this scenario: Your company calls everyone together to hear a speaker talk about how to get ahead or how to get wisdom. The person introducing him gives his credentials. “He has been the janitor here for 14 years at minimum wage and when he is not busy cleaning up here or dumping the corp. trash cans he can be found helping his elderly, invalid neighbor, or volunteering down at the homeless shelter in downtown Atlanta.” With that intro who among us would really look forward to hearing what this custodian has to say about either topic? … or about anything?
The Bible talks A LOT about being a servant! I could probably fill my allotted space with these references, but I’ll narrow it down to two.
Philippians 2:5-8 Jesus took on the attitude, mind-set and appearance of a servant. The Son of God who created our entire universe, who could command the winds and the waves of the seas, who had the power to heal the sick and raise the dead, took on the form of a lowly servant–and SERVED US. If anyone in all of history had the right to be anything but a servant it would be Him. Verse 5 says let this same mind and attitude be ours — we are to be servants!
Matthew 25:31-46 This passage speaks of separating the sheep from the goats (the good from the bad) at judgment. The King says to some that he was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, he was hungry and you took me to Chick-fil-a, naked and you didn’t just send me to the Goodwill store but you treated me to the finest clothes Cumberland Mall had to offer. Then they ask the king, “When was this? We never saw you like that!” His answer ought to give us cause to really think about how we treat others (esp. those less fortunate than ourselves). He said, “When you did it to these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to me (vs. 40).” This passage says that those who SERVE OTHERS (those that gave food, water, clothes, housing, time) will get rewarded big time. If you wish to see what happens to those who did NOT serve read verses 41-46 were it tells us that they will be sent away to “eternal punishment”.
These passages scream out the question: How have (your name here) served Jesus today? Serving others in the name of Jesus can be as elaborate as feeding some person who for whatever reason can not afford eat, taking someone into your home who needs a roof, taking a single mom on a shopping spree, or spending time with a lonely old person. It can be as simple as holding a door open, letting someone get in front of you (even in rush hour traffic), or saying a kind word to somebody. BTW…these kind deeds are to be done without any thought of what that person can do for us in return. They are to be done because the Bible says we are to have the mind-set of a servant.
Here’s a challenge: Pray that God will open your eyes so that you can really be aware of those around you. Then open your heart and serve them in the name of Jesus.
OK for those who HAVE to have a what’s-in-it-for-me thing this is for you…If you have taken part in any of the FIA’s that CCC organizes that helps schools and people in the community, you know the great feeling you have when you’ve spent your time serving others by painting, shoveling, cleaning, or praying for. That great feeling can be yours EVERY DAY simply by serving others. It doesn’t have to always be on the grand scale of a church wide FIA. In fact it feels so much better when you serve others and NO ONE EVER KNOWS (except you and Jesus)!!! Be His hands, feet, tongue, face and wallet.
Thanks Jody
“that-kid-who-has-to-stand-out-in-the-hall-a-lot” thanks for the honesty (and the laugh)!
Well said, be the hands and feet …
I’ll take Cumberland Mall to Goodwill any time. Don’t know of anyone who would not. Thanks, Jody, for giving me the perspective that when serving, I am to offer my best to those whom I serve.