Taken from David's moving Psalm 34:18 is the following passage, "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit." Key to understanding the concept of servanthood is seeing the importance of humility and how brokenness facilitates our complete surrender and reliance on God. Exactly as Jesus did.
This concept is revealed to us in the writing of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:5-11 on the subject of the attitude of Christ,
5- Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6- Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7- but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8- And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross!
9- Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10- that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11- and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Having the mind of Christ, or the attitude of Christ enables us to serve God - and His people more effectively. In week two of our Discovery II class in the CFM Wed Night Adult Discipleship program - we discussed the encounter Jacob had with the "Man" in Genesis 32. From the encounter Jacob's hip was displaced and he walked with a limp from that time forward - however, he also went forward with blessing and an anointing. And, a name change. He was now ready to serve and lead.
When we think about serving - we are drawn to the scripture in Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Can we do less than to dedicate our lives to His mission?
May God bless you as you serve Him,
Pastor Pete
