What Kind of a Servant Are You?

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:6-12
⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^[a] the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

OBSERVATION: The King and Creator of all the earth came and was born in the most humble of circumstances. There was no room for him at the inn. He was born in a smelly stable with a hay box for a bed.

APPLICATION: We have adages that somewhat communicate that the value of a thing cannot be judged by outward appearances, such as, "You can't judge a book by it's cover". The coming of Jesus is just such a case. His value certainly was not reflected in the manner of his coming nor his subsequent living conditions. I have had cause to reflect on this from a personal point of view. When we were pastoring a church, most people accorded us a fair amount of respect (especially others in pastoral ministry). Now that my husband is functioning at our Bible college as Director of Facilities (not a pastor or a professor) it is amazing to see how some people pass him over as a person of little worth. My respect for him has grown as I have seen his response to those who treat him like a hired hand and a servant. He has kept a gracious attitude and his response has been to serve with a smile in return. Now I must also say that many treat him with much respect and express gratitude for his prompt attention to their needs, so the previous statement is not reflective of everybody. But you can tell a lot about a person's heart from both sides of this equation. My husband has shown me what a true servant heart is. His mother has a statement in the fly-leaf of her Bible that says, "You never know what kind of a servant you are until someone treats you like one". Michael has shown me that he has a true servant's heart because he responds to those who obviously have little regard for him with equal effort and grace as he does to those who do show him respect. I have also observed that those who treat him like he is "less than" are usually insecure and have their own sense of value wrapped up in their positions. I have been more like them and less like my husband. Sometimes I feel like pointing out to these people that my husband graduated summa cum laud and had his IQ tested at 165 in junior high and that he missed only one problem in math on his college entrance exam, etc. I am repenting of that. My value is based in Who I know and His opinion of my worth. I need to endeavor to have grace with those who do not treat me in accordance with my value. Jesus was not treated by others in accordance with His value either; and a servant is not above his master. This time in my life is a time to grow in an attitude of true servanthood and to find my joy in Jesus' acceptance of me.

PRAYER: Father, help me to be more like Jesus and more like my husband when it comes to serving others. I am so happy to serve when I am appreciated, but not so happy when I am not. You served those who despised you, died for those who mocked you. I want to be like that! Help me to grow and to not need the accolades of others. All I need is to hear you say to me, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant". Thank you for a wonderful husband who loves me and is such a great example in this area. In Jesus' Name, Amen.