Those Who Serve
Recently I have become hooked on the podcast “A Short History Of”. My fellow “Skits With A Truth” member Rick Shotts suggested the show to me (which is the way most podcasts subscriptions work, by word of mouth… wink. wink. nudge. nudge) and I’ve been listening ever since. One of the best episodes is “The Samurai” which I’ve recommended to several others. It is rife with knowledge and illustrations of success and failure. One of the facts I learned was the original meaning of the word “Samurai”, “those who serve”.
This of course, has a great kinship to being a Christian. We are called to serve rather than to be served. As the history of most words go, the meaning evolved to “those who serve nobility”. It eventually developed into being synonymous with the mysterious, legendary warriors of a bygone era. I was kind of shocked when I learned of its original meaning because service was not something I initially think of in connection with “Samurai”. There is a reason for that as the episode went onto to explain.
As so often with any group of people, regardless of size, there is a power struggle. The Samurai suffered the same fate. In our calling to be Christ followers, the example that Jesus lived is the greatest power anyone ever wields is to show love through humble service to others. Especially “others” who cannot repay the debt they owe. Jesus is the most powerful human to ever walk this planet and yet He “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8 EHV)
Even those who walked with Jesus dealt with the “power struggle”. His closest disciples argued among themselves about their roles. Some even asked Jesus for special favor (Mark 10:35). Yes, even one of their moms asked Jesus about their special place in the Kingdom (Matthew 20:21). In Matthew 18, the disciples ask Jesus “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom?” and His response was not to become the greatest and most legendary fighting force in the history of mankind. As sad as that makes my inner nine year old, it makes this forty-one year old very joyful. His response to become humble like little children, might in some ways be more difficult.
So “the struggle” was real for them (Acts of the Apostles) and continues to be for the church today. It is difficult today to see the turmoil brought about around the world because of the rush to be in charge. At best, it is an urge that we keep a tight grip on and at worst rampant, unrelenting ambition that destroys people in its path. The urge is certainly present in our churches today. We want it our way and the sooner the better.
This is just another reason why we must keep our vision securely focused on Jesus, our path set by the Holy Spirit and meditating on the Word of God as it lights the Way to the Father. God is sovereign and nothing anyone can say or do, changes that fact. That should soften or limit the anxiety we feel in serving others, not induce more of it. Remember the God loving thing to do is always the people loving thing to do and “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Travis