We Are Servants of the King

by: Pastor Jose V. Velasco, Jr.

Photo is owned by No Demo Monkey

     We are Children of the King, our God. But we are also His servants. There are people who resent the idea of being God’s servants. One reason is they equate servant with slave.  And surely God would not enslave human beings whom He created as His children. He created them free to decide for themselves. The master may own and treat his slave like he does his working animals. And the master may do anything with his slave. The slave cannot leave his master unless the latter freely releases him. In contrast, the servant is not the property of his boss. He is hired to work for him. And they bilaterally agree on the terms of the working condition and their relationship as servant and boss. The servant can leave anytime as may have been provided in their agreed terms. In some ways we are servants of God in this sense. God has called us to serve Him, and we must respond to Him gladly, lovingly  and willingly. We are His servants because we serve Him.

     Jesus exemplified  servant-hood. He said, “- - the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt. 20:28). His ultimate service was His death on the cross to save us. So Christ is the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53. And He enjoins us to serve. After washing His disciples’ feet to serve them He told them that they should also do the same (Jn 13:14-17).  

     When Jesus said that the disciples were His friends He did not remove the idea of their serving Him (Jn. 15:14-15). He just put a deeper meaning into their relationship to Him. They were to serve Him as their Lord and friend throughout their remaining lives.

     As God’s children we must serve Him. “Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling (Ps. 2:11). “Serve the Lord with gladness (Ps. 100:2). In heaven God’s people shall serve Him day and night in His temple (Rev. 7:15). We serve God in three areas: 

     First, we must serve in His kingdom work. We must serve to extend His kingdom in the whole world by preaching and teaching His word, financially supporting the work of the church, giving our time and talents for various tasks, etc. We must live as good Christian examples so people may be persuaded to believe and follow Christ. 

     

      Second, we must serve those who are suffering and destitute. This is the meaning of the Parable of the Last Judgment (Mt. 25:31-46). We must serve the hungry, the sick, the homeless, the strangers and others who are in need. When we do these we are also serving God (Mt. 25:40). 

      Third, we also serve in and through our ordinary vocations and work. The doctor serves the sick. The teacher serves the students. The farmer serves to provide food for people. They do these not only to earn their living but to serve people. In any work we do we can serve people. And serving people is also serving God. Thus, we should always serve in the spirit of love.

Prayer: 

     Father God, we thank you for the opportunity to serve. Help us that in our serving you and the people we may give our best. For your honor and glory, and In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.