Day 33 ~ The Purpose Driven Life ~ How Real Servants Act
Christ’s law fulfilled by an Attitude of Servitude
Rick Warren on this day 33 chapter starts off by quoting two passages the first being “Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.” MARK 10:43 (MSG). This sequence of greatness is not preceded by greatness itself, for you cannot rise in the ranks purely based on your greatness. Where your greatness, i.e. great mind or great physical or acting ability is the premise of your greatness it is hollow without the skill and attitude of servitude.
You will not assume greatness by rising up through the ranks without an attitude of servitude. You have to serve your bosses well, to get their approval for your promotions, if you do not serve your subordinate workers, they will not support your rising in the ranks. you need to get the people who are working for you motivated and supporting your cause to be able to do well in your work. If you as a boss do not recognise this your achievements will only be mediocre. It is imperative for you to be able to achieve real greatness that you serve as a servant those who work for you.
So the quote taken by Rick of Mark 10:43, implies in the sense that greatness precedes servitude. Whether your greatness is achieved by some act or ability, possibly such as brainpower or athletic or acting abilities, to be really great you have to, for instance, be a servant to your followers. In that case, the quoted text rings true.
But where you are trying to rise through the ranks in the corporate world you cannot become great without the dual attitude of servitude to your bosses your peers and your workers. In that case the greater your attitude of servitude the greater your opportunity of becoming great.
Jesus, was the ultimate embodiment of the servant. And as he was God, his attitude of servitude was so great that he not only potentially re-established man’s favoured position with God but included the opportunity for the whole of mankind to find their salvation and true identity in redeemed relationship with God.
God’s crescendo of his son proclaimed in the old Testament is a manifestation of the pure and sacred love that God is. God’s ultimate relationship with man is formulated and encompassed by God’s ultimate and pure form which is love. As previously said I regard the old Testament as the shadow and buildup of Christ. For there is no way we can understand God, in the form of Christ, if we do not recognise Christ’s parallel shadow in the old Testament.
Isaiah in the passage Isaiah 42:1-4 captures in his vision the coming Messiah. In Matthew 12:17 -21 the gospel of Christ is captured;
“This was to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“Here is My servant,
whom I have chosen,
My beloved,
in whom My soul delights.
I will put My Spirit on Him,
and He will proclaim justice to the nations.
He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear His voice in the streets.
A bruised reed He will not break,
and a smouldering wick He will not extinguish,
till He leads justice to victory.
In His name the nations (Gentiles) will put their hope.”” (BSB)
Isaiah was not a lone voice in the wilderness on the servitude attitude of Christ, although he did mention it in several places; Isaiah 49:1-7, Isaiah 50:4–9, Isaiah 52:13–53. Ezequiel prophecised it in Ezequiel 34:23–24, and also in Ezequiel 37:24–25. You can also see Zechariah 3:8.
Jesus in his mission continually sets the ultimate example of servitude to the Father. His teachings throughout the new Testament are a testimony of a deep and consistent willingness to do the will of God.
“Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does. The Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. And to your amazement, He will show Him even greater works than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes.
Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” John 5:19 – 23 (BSB)
Jesus as servant;
By coming to dwell among humanity as a man Philippians 2:6-7 , 2 Corinthians 8:9
Jesus obeyed the will of God the Father; John 4:34, John 5:30; Jn 6:38; John 14:31; Hebrews 10:5-7; Psalms 40:6-8
He continually served the disciples; John 13:1-17
Then he suffered crucifixion for mankind; Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42, Philippians 2:8.
Christ exalted as a servant;
He will complete his task John 17:4; John 19:30
He will be exalted by God Acts 3:13 See also Isaiah 52:13; Acts 3:26; Philippians 2:9-11
The obedience of Jesus Christ displayed as a servant
John 13:14-15, Philippians 2:5, 1 Peter 2:21
I can but echo the sympathies of Rick Warren in this chapter “By having an attitude of servitude we best serve God”.
We cannot become great servers without the indwelling spirit of the love of God.
Further available material ; http://www.purposedriven.com/day33/
Reference Sources used;
Bible Gateway; https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/dictionary-of-bible-themes/2327-Jesus-Christ-as-servant