MONDAY November 4, 2019
A Bondservant
James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ….
James 1:1
Both James and Jude called themselves bondservants of Jesus Christ. What does the word bondservant mean? It is important to understand that you have to go back to the Old Testament to understand the full meaning.
In Israel, a servant served his master for six years. At the end of that period, the servant could decide if he and his family would stay with the master. A servant loved by his master would remain of his own free will. The master would take the servant outside, drill a hole in his right ear, and place an earring in it. He would serve his master freely, by choice, because he purely loved his master.
In the New Testament, when the master of the house invited guests into his home, it was customary to wash their feet and anoint them with oil, as the guest reclined on pillows. Jesus was the one who stood up grabbed a towel and basin of water, and began to wash His Disciples’ feet. Peter at first was reluctant to have the Lord do this, but when He understood what Jesus was teaching, He basically told the Lord, “Give me a bath!” (John 13:1-17).
In the Bible, two women demonstrated their love and servanthood to Jesus. Mary of Bethany poured out oil and anointed Jesus (John 12:3), and a sinful woman, washed Jesus’ feet with her own tears (Luke 7:36-50).
Jesus loves each of us. Are we willing to serve Him freely––not motivated by money, fame or anything else? In the Church, believers are to be servants of Jesus Christ. They are to have a good attitude of servanthood, following the same example of Christ. When we demonstrate servanthood to others, we show them Christ’s love.
Ask yourself this question, “How can I become a better servant of Christ–– in the Church, to my loved ones, to my wife or husband?”
The measure of a man is not how many servants he has but how many men he serves.
~D.L. Moody~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!