Serve

Let me ask you a question. When you love someone are you to serve them? Seriously, are you to serve those you love? Maybe you're saying it depends on what you mean by serving them. What I mean is let's suppose the Savior was walking upon earth again (not going to happen - we were told He would return in the same manner He left - all eyes could see as He ascended.) But, let's just suppose Jesus were to knock on your door, enter your house and sit down on your couch. Would you serve Him? Would you desire to know if He needed anything and if you could help Him in any way? Would you want to see to any needs He had? Feed him, get Him fresh clothes, allow Him to use your shower to wash if needed? Would you offer Him a place to sleep if He wanted to nap? I think if you're a Christ follower you'd want to do anything He asked of You, that you would serve Him. Do you think you'd complain under your breath, muttering even if it's just inside your head, that doesn't Jesus know you're busy right now with something and your needs should be taken into consideration before being asked to serve in any fashion?

I'm going to ask again, when you love someone are you to serve them? Seeing to their needs before your own? Not buying into the take care of yourself first before you take care of others or you won't be able to take care of them. Wait, what? Yes, if we neglect our vital needs of living (whatever they may be for your particular existence), we are going to stop being able to serve others. Anyone who starves themselves to the point of sickness and death, just because they can't stop serving others even long enough to put a crumb in their mouths, well that person has taken things a bit too far. It takes seconds to put crumbs in your mouth, seconds to drink some water. Anyone who has ever taken hours to prepare a huge meal for family and then watches as it is consumed in mere minutes, knows how quickly people can eat.  We need to put others first while taking the opportunities when they arise to tend to ourselves. We value ourselves way too much, and way too often. We don't like stepping out of the comfort zones we've surrounded ourselves with all in the name of self-preservation. 

1Ti 6:1  Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 

1Ti 6:2  And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

Servants need to honor their masters-  this is the will of God. Servants need to honor their masters even if they are unbelievers- this is the will of God. Servants should not despise their believing masters because their masters are not choosing to serve them, but serve them because- this is the will of God.

I don't know of any servant/master relationships today. I do know employee/employer though and it's along the same lines as servant/master. I do know that wives and husbands,    children and parents,  younger and elder - all these are relationships and it's the same bottom line for all of them. Serving.

Sometimes the master will serve the servant, but this isn't something we are ever to strive for- being the one served. IF we are the one who needs to be served, we need to be very gracious to those serving us.  We need to serve those serving us with prayer, kindness, gratitude, thankfulness.

Remember this-

Mat_20:27  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant

Mat_23:11  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Mat_24:46  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Joh 13:3  Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 

Joh 13:4  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 

Joh 13:5  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 

Joh 13:6  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 

Joh 13:7  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 

Joh 13:8  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 

Joh 13:9  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 

Joh 13:12  So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 

Joh 13:13  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 

Joh 13:14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 

Joh 13:15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 

Joh 13:16  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 

Joh 13:17  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. 

We are to serve, ever serve, ever seek to serve.

Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings

And we are to serve in love, not begrudgingly. We need to ask for forgiveness, over and over if needed, if we find ourselves murmuring and disputing (even in our thoughts) when we are called to serve another. By the grace of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit we are to stamped down the rising self-server in us, and instead give praise when we are called to serve. God's will be done, always!

Through Jesus Christ our LORD, our SAVIOR, now and forever!

Amen.