Freed to be servants

by Janette Lange

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We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty (Luke 17:10b).

Read Luke 17:5–10

Everyone wants to be the boss. That’s at the heart of the human condition. I certainly don’t enjoy others telling me what to do – you’re probably the same. So, who wants to be the servant? No-one! It’s one of the reasons we find the image of the master and the servant in this reading so challenging.

Even when it comes to applying this image to our relationship with God, we might acknowledge that this is fitting but still bristle against it. No-one wants to be the servant; everyone wants to be God. The world encourages us to set ourselves up as gods of our own lives. It says we should create our own narratives, answer to no-one, do what is right for us and be true to ourselves. We can fall into this trap even as Christians.

The reading reminds us that we are not God, and we should stop trying to be. After all, we’re not really cut out for it. Are we all-powerful, all-knowing and present everywhere? Are we slow to anger, quick to forgive and all-loving? Do we have power over life and death? Are we able to save the world? Or the church? Or even ourselves? No, our role is to be the servant and trust that God knows what he is doing.

This isn’t a burden; this is actually a freedom. Freed from trying to be God and the burden of solving the world’s problems for him, we can focus on what God is actually calling us to do. In past times, the master would ensure that the servants had everything they needed for life. Likewise, God provides us with everything we need for life in all its fullness and for service in his kingdom. Daily provision, forgiveness of sins, salvation, his indwelling Spirit – we want for nothing.

Then he calls us to serve him – and with him – so that we can help bring his love, compassion and good news to a hurting world. And if we are ever unsure of what we should be doing as a servant, we need only look to our Lord Jesus Christ – the greatest servant of all.

Servant King, you thought nothing of humbling yourself and giving your life for us. Forgive us for the times we put ourselves first, and place in us a servant heart. Please help us to offer our lives freely and gladly in service to you and those around us. Amen.

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