Jesus: The Complete Servant Pt 2: Does Jesus really Love us?

W. B. Riley used to tell the story of a man who had walked the streets of Philadelphia searching for employment. One day he happened to go into the office of a well-known businessman by the name of Girard. When he asked for a job, Mr. Girard answered, “Yes, I can give you work. See that pile of bricks out there? Carry them over to the other end of the yard and stack them up.”

By nightfall the man reported that the project was completed and received his pay. When asked if there would be more work the next day, his employer said, “Yes, come in tomorrow and carry those same bricks back to where you found them.” The following morning he came in early and got busy without a word. For more than a week he was instructed to carry bricks back and forth until it was evident that he could be trusted to do exactly what he was told.

Then he was given a new and bigger responsibility—to go downtown and bid on a large quantity of sugar. Not recognizing him, the people at the auction were surprised by the bid of this total stranger. When it was accepted, the auctioneer asked who would pay the bill. “Mr. Girard,” the man replied. “I am his agent.” He had earned this position by being faithful in a menial task. —Our Daily Bread[1]

The best leaders are those that first learned how to be a servant. That usually entails doing things you might find “below” you or as in this example, menial tasks.

We saw that the First “Key” to being a true servant is: that no one forced or manipulated you to do it, you made yourself a servant!

Philippians showed us that Jesus humbled Himself, and became a slave to serve the Father and to serve us in various ways which we will see in future Devos. How much did Jesus love us? Let’s look and discover!

There is another “Key” to being a true servant

Paul describes that in 2 Cor. What I am talking about:

 2 Corinthians 8:7-9 ¶ But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

The 2^nd “Key” to being a true servant is, “Other Oriented!”

Jesus owned everything, but gave that up for others! He sacrificed all He had and was, to please His Father, Who desired to make a way of redemption for fallen mankind. He forsook all He had and was to come and live with us, incarnating Himself into flesh, so we could be afforded the opportunity to have a relationship with the Eternal God. Even in the garden, as He faced the understanding of the entire cost, and desired to be spared from it, His love and commitment to being the Complete Servant over road the desire of His flesh and yielded to His spirit to please His Father and serve us!

There are 2 basic Characteristics

         (1) Devoid of pride "my rights"

Hebrews 2:9–13 What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation. So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. For he said to God, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.” He also said, “I will put my trust in him,” that is, “I and the children God has given me.”

Sadly, this seems to be missing in many believers today as they “over correct” from the Pharisaical attitude that engulfed the Church for so many years! We were “born again” unto freedom and liberty, but that does not negate our call to be servants!

I have found that this formula works: Become the servant of many, Be identified with any, never be ashamed of loving the most reprobate sinner. 

         (2) Reliever of Burden

Hebrews 2:14–18 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Being this kind of Servant starts with becoming a good and faithful listener, however too many believers stop right there! To really serve may mean not only being a sounding board for this person’s woes, it may require you inconveniencing yourself and spend time assisting that person in dealing with their problems. This will cost time and may even involve effort of money on your part.

This year I mowed the lawn of my neighbor because his health was so bad. He is not a nice person and even yelled at me several times over other issues. I chose to serve him, because I love Jesus and Jesus loves him, and Jesus persuaded me that I may be the only “Jesus” he will ever see. It was never convenient and always tiring. Yet, it brought my soul joy to offer this to the Lord.  

The word “servant” is like the word “love,” it is an action word. Jesus did not just say He loved us, He showed us!

The So What: When someone is in need, do you wait to be asked to offer help, or do you proactively connect with them? When was the last time your were struggling with something? Did anyone help? If so, how did that feel? If not, how did that feel? Which do you think is truer: “There is joy in serving other for Christ” or “ There is joy in Christ?” What will happen to you if you build your joy in serving fallen human beings? If you are a true servant of Christ how will that impact how you treat other fallen human beings?

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^[1] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (pp. 909–910).  Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc. - Our Daily Bread -