Becky Aust

A Servant’s Heart

3:00 PM

                      


Our Reading: Psalm 123 and Isaiah 2:2-5, Jeremiah 29:7


The famous conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein was once asked what the hardest instrument to play is, and he replied “second fiddle.” The pride of man wants to be recognized and to be in the highest position of honor and esteem. But, God has a different standard. He calls us to play second fiddle and to have a servant’s heart. There may be differing opinions within the Christian faith about beliefs but the one thing that should never be disagreed about is that we must give God the spotlight and recognize that we are to serve Him. That is how the author of this Psalm reminds us to seek God, as an humble servant seeks audience with His Lord.


“To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us.” Psalm‬ ‭123‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭


For most of us, the life of a slave or indentured servant is something we can only read about or hear stories about. It is hard to fathom being 100% under the direction and dependence of a master for every morsel of food, scrap of clothing, or condition of shelter. It is hard to imagine where one has no personal or leisure time unless granted, and no personal items or sense of freedom to roam or travel at will. When Jesus addressed this system which was prevalent in that day, he reminded both free and those in bondage that ultimately God was the master of all and what was done should be done as unto Him. I couldn’t help but think about this in terms of being employed or in terms of responsibilities to our families and fellow believers.

“Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬-‭9‬ ‭


Thankfully, in most of the world, the system of slavery has been abolished, but we are voluntarily called to be servants for God.  God’s system is opposite to the world’s system. It is not the elite or powerful or most accomplished or privileged who will be given the highest merit in God’s eyes, but the ones who genuinely and humbly take the second fiddle seat and play their lesser esteemed part to benefit others.  Jesus taught this important spiritual mindset to his disciples. ‭

“And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”  ‭‭Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭35‬ ‭


Jesus not only taught by words but most importantly, by example.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."” Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭45‬ ‭


“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭8


Every situation we find ourselves in is an opportunity to be dependent upon God’s mercy and to serve Him with a humble heart. It may not be the circumstance that we like, and we may have to yield our freedoms to others, but we can do so if it is what God asks of us. We may have to give up the spotlight and do without the applause of man. We may have to do thankless and difficult tasks but we can do so to honor Him. We can learn to play second fiddle and play that part with all of our dedication, joy and passion, seeking blessing and mercy from the One who is, after all, Lord of Lords. And one day, He shall indeed reward the efforts of all hearts that yield to Him.

“Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”‭‭ 1John‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭


Reflection:

  1. When called to do seemingly thankless tasks, what is your attitude and perspective? Do you think about who you are truly serving?
  2. Do you find yourself striving for the spotlight and the prized first seat or can you find purpose and fulfillment in playing second fiddle?
  3. Do you have a servant’s heart when you seek God or do you focus on your own wants and desires?


Prayer: Father, we come to You as a servant before our gracious and honored Lord! We want to be humble and obedient to seek Your counsel and guidance and to accept the tasks that You would have us to do. May all that we do be done in a manner that reflects hearts yielded to You. Thank You for Your mercies, Your patience, Your abounding blessings! 

Challenge for 2022

A Servant to All _ John 13:1-17

9:00 AM

O Beloved, I've so looked forward to this series. Each year leading up to Easter I try to find ways in which I can truly meditate on the full weight of all Jesus endured for each of us and this year I'd like to be transported back to this time - this week; to truly study the culture of the day and understand all that was going on around them, beyond what is written down. Today, we'll look at Jesus' loving act of washing the dusty feet of His disciples.


John 13:1-17

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus… got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing,… and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. — John 13:2-5

It has been a long day. The streets of Jerusalem have been crowded with visitors who have come to celebrate the Passover. Surely everyone who is anyone has heard the rumors of this man who speaks as one with authority- who has healed the lame, sick and blind and has actually just recently raised a man called Lazarus from the dead! Everywhere Jesus went people were pressing in to simply catch a glimpse of this man if nothing more.

It was a warm spring day and the streets were dusty and dry. The disciples were a long way from home and are ready to recline at a table away from the crowds and enjoy an evening meal with Jesus.

They enter an upper room that has been reserved for them, and one by one, they take their place around the table. They are all guests here in this room where there aren’t any servants waiting to serve and wash their feet as they enter. There is, however a towel hanging on the wall, and a pitcher and a basin sitting close by on the floor. Any one of the disciples could rise to volunteer to wash the feet of their friends, but no one does, for after all some have been wondering just who would be the greatest when Jesus comes into His kingdom and the task of  washing guest's feet was the job of the lowliest in the household.

 Suddenly, Jesus stands and lays aside His outer garment, wraps the towel around His waist, pours water into the basin, and kneels down before one of the disciples and begins to remove his sandals and wash his feet. One dusty foot after another, Jesus begins to work His way around the table.

John tells us that once Jesus made his way to Peter, Peter begins to object, but I have to wonder… was Peter the only one who voiced an objection? Were the others silent and stupefied – wondering why Jesus would do such a thing? 

The King of the universe was bending down again to serve. The hands that had created the world in which they walked were now washing away the filth on their feet. It was now only hours before Jesus would be arrested, beaten and crucified for each of them and us. Why has Jesus felt the need to do such a thing?

Jesus knew one pair of feet at the table will abandon and betray Him that very night. And the others will all flee as quickly as they can the moment Jesus is arrested, except one pair who would deny knowing Him three times before the rooster would crow.

Jesus knew each of these men would soon hang their heads in shame and look down at their feet, and He wants them to remember how He knelt down before them to wash their feet and the words He spoke, 

“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.  “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.  Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13:12-17) 

For one day very soon they would be given the task to begin the New Testament church. 

My takeaway (and I hope you'll share your insights with me as well) is Jesus was still about His Father’s business at this time knowing that His work on earth is about to end and He will soon be taken off the earth. I believe this act of washing the disciples' feet at this time is a symbolic act of cleansing and purifying, so that their spiritual walk following Him would be holy and spotless. 

And the neat thing is; He still does this today with each one who gives their heart to Him! He still carefully washes away our dust and grime with living water and then uses His own covering to refresh, restore and make us fit for His kingdom work.

Blessing, 

sue

 


 

Andrew's cross

Jesus' Model of Leadership: The Servant of the Lord

12:00 PM

‘Who is the servant of the Lord?’ This was the question that the Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ethiopia asked the evangelist Philip in Acts 8: ‘Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?’ (v.34).
The title ‘servant of the Lord’ is one of great dignity, reserved for leaders such as Abraham, Moses and David. But in the four ‘servant songs’ (Isaiah 42:1–4; 49:1–7; 50:4–9; 52:13–53:12) a distinct concept of ‘servanthood’ comes into sharper focus.
The role of this ‘servant’ can be demonstrated visually with the St Andrew’s cross. (St Andrew, brother of Peter, is believed to have died on a diagonally traversed cross, which the Romans sometimes used for execution. It therefore came to be called the St Andrew’s cross, and is the flag of Scotland.)
 

Originally, God intended that all humankind should be his servant. Then, after the fall, God chose the whole nation of Israel to serve him. But even his chosen race was not faithful to him. So the focus, continuing to narrow, became a mere ‘faithful remnant’. Ultimately, only one individual was completely faithful (shown by the central, most narrow part of the cross). This was Jesus.
Jesus revealed what Israel (and indeed humankind) should have been. He was an Israelite sent to Israel, totally identifying with his nation, and yet remaining distinct from it. No earthly king or prophet meets the description used in all the servant passages. Yet, Jesus does – perfectly.
Where Israel failed, Jesus succeeded. Furthermore, it is God’s plan that the church, through the victory of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, can and should succeed. So the St Andrew’s cross broadens out again as the members of the church of Jesus Christ become the servants of God with a mission to call all humanity back to their original creation purpose. 

Love ya, Roxy

Becky Austin

The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 49-52:12)

4:08 AM



Isaiah holds some important prophecies that refer to Jesus as the Messiah. Many scholars teach that “the Suffering Servant” is Jesus Christ. He is the greatest example to us of what it means to serve the Lord with full commitment and passion. 

“Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away (49:1-2)

From the beginning of time, God knew that mankind would become enslaved by sin and desperately need a Savior. With great love and compassion, God would provide a redemptive plan.  Jesus would become the special “ arrow” tucked away in his quiver to be launched at just the right time and with a very intentional purpose. Jesus would not be a valiant war hero physically freeing Israel from Roman captivity and oppression, but He would bring the words of truth that would penetrate the depths of man’s spiritual darkness. 

Because Jesus was God but also human, He would also know human suffering and frustrations.The very people who should have known who He was and received Him with open arms would want Him put to death.  I imagine it could be very difficult and challenging to be so rejected, misunderstood, and despised. 
“But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God.””(49:4)

As God’s servants, we may also experience highs and lows through our ministry. We may not always think that we are making a difference and we may not always have the approval and support of others. Jesus knew that the mission He was given to do mattered on a grand scale for it impacted eternity and glorified God. We may not always see the immediate fruits of our labors but we must persevere to serve God and seek His approval instead of seeking the approval of man. 
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Being a servant is usually not a glamorous calling. It involves sacrifice, discipline, and denial of self.  Sometimes it may also be lonely and isolating. God wants us to know that He is there with us and will not forget us.    “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” (49:15-16)

It may not always be received well, but we are the messengers to the world of the good news of salvation. Somewhere out there in the world around us are people who need to hear about the love of God and the hope that can be theirs through Jesus. 
 “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” (52:7)



We are all called to be servants. The Bible is full of amazing examples of what being a servant looks like.  There are many great men and women that we can learn from and be inspired by. Our ultimate example, however, should be “ the suffering servant”, Christ.