Paradox of Christianity (B)
The heart of Christianity is giving sacrificially, and the soul is service: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) The term “servant” is offensive in today’s
society, and is avoided at all cost. The word pictures a lower class of people, a demeaning status of life. Yet, there the paradox appears: if you are to lead, you must serve. Matthew 23:11 reads, “The greatest among you shall be your servant.” John Maxwell wrote, “Servanthood is not difficult to define; it is only difficult to achieve.” Consider three facts about Jesus and Christian service. First, Jesus taught service—in the parallel passage of Mark 10:35-44, He said, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.” (vv. 42-44) Jesus turned the world’s wisdom upside down. Second, Jesus modeled service—in John 13:12-15, we have the record of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples: “I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” (v. 15) Servanthood begins when we move beyond our own comfort to relieve the discomfort of others. Third, Jesus judges service—Matthew 25:31-46 is all about ministry service and how the Lord separates those who do and those who don’t. Yet, our actions have absolutely nothing to do with salvation: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is interesting to me is that there is often criticism of ministry by those who have many excuses why they don’t do those same things. Commit to focus on the needs of others.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
