JJ25 #26 – Service: The Statement

Jesus did not come initially to be served but to serve. This is something He did, and He taught His disciples to do the same. He was very clear that those who followed Him would do well to learn from Him and understand that following Him was to know what it is to serve. The Body of Christ, taking orders and instructions from its Head, is designed to serve.

This truth is outlined at the outset of Jesus’ ministry – which is about service – when He was given the opportunity to read a passage back in his hometown. This was laid out for all the listeners: He was only here because His Father anointed Him with His Spirit to go and serve. That service would take on different forms – some spoken, some demonstrated physically, all of it offering the recipients an opportunity to experience their needs met at all levels.

When Jesus made this announcement, as recorded in Luke 4, the initial reception was bright until people began to consider who was speaking, and then their joy turned to criticism. That was only made worse when Jesus then had the temerity to point out that prophets have honour except in their hometown and how God had no problem serving those outside the commonwealth of Israel when it came to famine and other issues. This indicated that the service that Jesus offered was anointed and available for those who would receive it, even if they didn’t belong to the covenant people.

As we consider how the Father had it in mind to be among His people, and He sent His Son and His Spirit to reinforce that message, it’s also of interest to discover more about the significance of how the mission was to serve. What was the nature of the service, and how does it influence what the church offers and what disciples of Jesus should look at?

For His Name’s Sake

C. L. J. Dryden

Shalom