The Joy of a Servant
As we have walked through the Gospel of Mark over the last several months we have watched Jesus’ pattern of life and ministry. We have seen him perform miracles and give profound teachings. We have seen his character of compassion and his nature of truth. We have come to understand what it means to serve by watching his example. It is in his example that we are challenged to really examine what it means to be a servant, the motivations of a servant, and the joy of a servant. Jesus offers us something totally unlike what our world offers, this much he said to his disciples in Mark 10:42-45. That makes his example both extremely compelling and extremely difficult for us to understand. Paul Tripp explores this reality when he writes,
“Servants – It’s a biblical theme that needs to be studied, taught, and brought to memory again and again because it is so radically counterintuitive. The most often used term for a spiritual leader in scripture is servant. … What is the motivational joy in the heart of a true servant? The joy of a true servant is not power; the joy of a true servant is not control; the joy of a true servant is not a claim; the joy of a true servant is not comfort or ease; and, of course, the joy of a true servant is not position. What gives a servant joy in being a servant is service.
Why is service so unnatural for us? Why do we love to be known as servants while not always loving the call to serve? Why do we fall into thinking of opportunities to serve as an interruption, a hassle, or a burden? Why do we count the cost while forgetting the riches we have been given? Why are servant posture and attitude not normal in the hearts and lives of those whom God has called to lead? I think the answer is clear in 2nd Corinthians 5:15 Paul argues that the DNA of sin is selfishness. Sin is self-focused, self-absorbed, self-defensive, and self-aggrandizing – selfish in the purest sense of what that word means. So as long as there are artifacts of sin still resident in our hearts we will be vulnerable to the temptation to make life about us what we want, what we think we need, and what makes us content and comfortable. I am convinced as I write. I am required to face the fact that, like every other sinner, my default idol is the idol of self, and because it is, my default craving is for what I find comfortable, enjoyable, and exciting. So it is an argument for the presence and power of rescuing and forgiving grace when any sinner finds joy in this self-sacrifice and self-denial that are the normal life of a servant. It takes grace to free us from the powerful inertia of sin’s individualism. It takes almighty power to free us from the depth of our self-allegiance. And it is all too easy to give way to sin’s draw. It is also vital to remember that the struggle of selfishness is the focus not only of the rescue and forgiveness of our justification, but also of the transforming work of our sanctification. Your savior has rescued you from you, is rescuing you from you, and will continue to rescue you from you until that rescue is no longer needed.”
Jesus’ example of servanthood is so compelling because it reminds us of what we were created for and the one who created us. It is an echo of eternity in our hearts. When we participate in serving as Jesus did, we experience profound joy. But, as Tripp reminds us, we are unable to do that without the power and work of Christ. To serve like Christ is to be in conformity with Christ, and only God can do that work in us. To be a servant like Jesus means to resist selfishness. Thankfully, we do not need to do that work on our own. Thankfully, we have a model and example for us in Christ. Thankfully, by God’s grace, the DNA of sin can be overcome, and we can experience the joy of being a servant.