In Luke 22:27, which takes place during the Last Supper on the night in which He was betrayed, Jesus starts by stating what would be accepted at true in both Greek and Jewish cultures. He sets up a dinnertime situation, and asks, who ranks greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves? Then he answers that it is one who sits at the table. So far, so typical. But it would be unlike Jesus not to turn those tables: "But I am among you as one who serves." Jesus is talking about more than being a waiter, though, and is not content with mere talk. He takes on the smellier, uglier task of washing feet. The host cleans, gives manual services of labor, and becomes someone to literally look down upon. The Authority serves. This is not at all the only example of Jesus' Servant-God approach, but it is the most direct. The hub of this way of seeing life is found in John's account of that same night, when Jesus calls on His disciples to love each other as He does.
Why is service so central to Christian belief? Because we follow a God who serves. Do we dare hold ourselves to be greater than God, and hold that what God does is too menial or dirty? Even more, we follow a Christ who loves others. Dare we spurn those whom God treasures? Apparently, we do dare, because we do it. We fail to serve, to care enough about someone else to act in their favor. It's not as if servanthood is hard. You can do it. It doesn't take a God to pull it off. But then again, maybe it does in a way, for Jesus wasn't out for self-this and self-that, but rather others-this and others-that, and was able to pull it off. God wants to work through you. Maybe we have to rely on Jesus' character growing in us, as it brings out the fruit of the Spirit, and focuses us on doing right by others.
Servants aren't posers. They know they're not superstars. That helps others see that they too are just people. They can be held accountable, because they're not trying to be crafty and aren't into c.y.a.. A servant of Christ chooses to be like Christ and serve others. They do it in whatever way is needed, but prefer doing it in person. They see freedom not as a great way of doing something for themselves, but as the freedom to do what's needed to lift someone else who needs it. They forgive those who do them wrong, since God forgave them in Jesus. Most of all, the servant is actually looking for helpful ways to serve, to give, and to build up. They're glad to do it. The Spirit gives Christ's servants gifts so they can build each other up.
The question that separates the wise from the wimps in spirituality is how to serve others, especially those others who are dealt the worst of hands by our society. It's where most people's spirituality (Christian or otherwise) turns tail and runs. No turning tail here : the writers teach us big-time lessons in real compassion.
More on teaching your children to serve.
No comments:
Post a Comment