Freed to Serve

“For it is to me that the people of Israel are servants. They are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 25:55, ESV).

How we introduce ourselves reveals what we value about ourselves or what others value about us. When we’re representing our employer, we might say, “Hi, I’m Karen, creative director at SmileZone.” When we’re in the neighborhood, we might introduce ourselves as “Hi, I’m Karen, Keith’s wife and Kristin’s mom.” When we’re at church, we might introduce ourselves, “Hi, I’m Karen, I volunteer in the Women’s Ministry.” When God looks at us, does He see any of those titles?

The Israelites experienced poverty and slavery in Egypt. Hard work and survival under severe circumstances were the focus. They cried out to God, and He led them into the wilderness. There, they learned that God called them to be set apart, holy to the Lord (Leviticus 11:44-45) and His servants.

God repeatedly commanded the Israelites to remember that He brought them out of slavery into freedom, for they were His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). Moses chose to stand up for his people rather than enjoy the luxuries of royalty in Egypt, and God chose him to lead the nation from Egyptian slavery to servants of the Most High God. All this pointing to our Redeemer, Jesus, who freed us from our slavery to sin (Hebrews 11:23-27).

Once they entered the Promised Land, they were instructed to take care of the land, treat other Israelites with respect, and generously help their poorer brothers and sisters to the point of taking care of them. The poor would not be charged interest or sold food for a profit (Leviticus 25:37). Why? Because God freed the Israelites from slavery to serve Him.

Generosity to the poor was God’s expectation, for God had generously provided for the Israelites in the wilderness. In the New Testament, the well-off are instructed “to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (1 Timothy 6:18). The early church made a practice of sharing their possessions (Acts 2:44).

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13, ESV). The word for “serve” is douleuō. It can have a negative meaning, “to become the slaves to some base power, to give one’s self up” or a positive meaning, a person who obeys or submits to God.

“For it is to me that the people of Israel are servants. They are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 25:55, ESV).

What if we introduced ourselves as bondservants of the Most High God?
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Might that introduction be the catalyst for us to see ourselves and God in a more accurate way?

Jesus came into the world so that we would be reconciled with God. He redeemed us from our slavery to sin (John 3:16; Revelation 5:9). God gave Jesus’ followers to Him as His possession, and by this, God is glorified (John 17:9-10). He is our Master, and if we call Him Lord, we are His bondservants, commissioned to serve God and our brothers and sisters.

feet on sand — Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

During His last supper on earth, Jesus got up from the food, laid His outer garments aside and wrapped a towel around His waist (John 13:1-17). I can imagine the gasps as He took each disciple’s feet into His hands and cleansed the dirt from that disciple’s feet. When He finished, He told the disciples that they have called Him Teacher and Lord, and He agreed. But He pointed out that as Teacher and Lord, He gave them an example of how we should serve fellow believers. Jesus paid the ultimate price for us, His life. We are called to serve Him for eternity. This service brings joy and a deeper relationship with our Father in heaven and with our brothers and sisters on earth. Come to Jesus and exchange your heavy burden of sin with His light burden as a bondservant of our Lord.

I know, dear friend, that we get caught up in the busyness of our days and don’t notice the needs of our brothers and sisters. Jesus was never too busy to help someone in need. He came to serve and give His life for others (Mark 10:45). He calls us to give our lives to Him and serve.

Thank You, Lord, for showing us what true freedom is – a life dedicated to serving You and Your people. As needs arise, give us tender hearts and wise minds to know how to best serve the needs of others. There is so much need in the world, Father. Direct us to the works that You have equipped us to do, and may Your name be glorified. In Jesus’ name, amen.