‘Your Servants For Jesus Sake’

‘Your Servants For Jesus Sake’

For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.

II Corinthians 4:5

Christ is the quintessential Servant of Jehovah. Throughout the Old Testament we find instance after instance where Christ demonstrated Himself to be that Servant. Isaiah expounds upon the Ministry of the Servant of Jehovah. In the New Testament, Mark dedicates his Gospel to presenting Christ as the Servant of the Lord. Paul understood this very clearly. In fact, he understood it so clearly that it became the hallmark of his ministry. Paul was patterning himself after Christ. Hence, in our text he declares, ‘For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.’ To expand this thought in practical terms, this is the pattern for all truly spiritual leadership in ministry. The Christlike leader is the Servant leader. When we examine spiritual leadership, it is legitimate for us to ask, ‘How much does this leader resemble Christ?’ Paul led by Christlike example. He followed Christ; proclaimed Christ; and imitated Christ. Hence he could say, ‘Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.’ This is immensely useful to us as we seek to effectively communicate Christ on a personal level. As Christ enables us, by His Holy Spirit, to imitate Christ, we can, as servants, show Christ to those who are around us. Today, let us look to Christ to conform us to His Image, that others will see us as ‘your servants for Jesus’ sake.’

O, Christ, our Shepherd-King,
we rejoice that You are our Servant-Leader.
We praise You, that by Your Holy example,
You show us how we may serve others.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning