To serve, or not to serve
by Pastor Tim Klein
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And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come’ (John 2:4).
Read John 2:1–11
How human is that? ‘My hour has not yet come.’
‘Not yet, Mother!’ said Jesus. We do it, too: ‘I am not ready yet. It’s too soon. I’m not prepared to go. Try me again later’, and so on.
But, for Jesus, this is a case of saying one thing and doing another. He might not have been ready in himself as a human being to reveal who he was, yet he did! He served their need – with great blessing.
Why do we sometimes stall and backpedal from both responsibility and opportunity? Are we afraid – scared of what might happen? Are we concerned we might not really have what it takes? Do we find it easier to ‘allow someone else the privilege of serving’? Could it be that we are concerned that once that ability or service is ‘let out of the bag’, we might be saddled with it for the foreseeable future?
If you are a leader in any form, you are likely aware of how difficult it can be to engage volunteers in service. People are reluctant to commit. We are wary of other people having a call on our time and resources. I’m in the middle of seeking a new small team of people to do a 2025 monthly Saturday afternoon bread pickup. It’s not easy. But I’m living in hope. God will move some people to see the need and meet it.
I’m also encouraged by Jesus’ ultimate response to his mum when she simply overrides his reluctance. Next thing you know, her son has performed his first public miracle! She served the need at that time. I have hope and positively expect that there will be enough people to take up the bread run in my retirement next year.
I’m also hopeful more and more people will be willing to take up the call to follow Jesus as he goes about his mission of seeking out and saving lost people!
It’s sins that hold us back from serving. But even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, despite pleading with his Father to take back the cup of sacrifice he was about to fill, ultimately served us with his life’s blood, and he offers us all this miracle of forgiveness.
He has given us a wonderful example of trusting in the Lord. The outcome is a great blessing. Can we follow his example?
Dear Father, give us the boldness to get out there to follow and serve in the opportunities you place before us. In the name of Christ. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand. Not retired but repurposed on 12 January, this husband of wife Joy, father of three and grandfather of 10 intends to spend more time in the garden, write some songs that have long lingered in his mind and heart and keep up with the activities of his grandchildren and friends. He also has several active beehives that need managing, with some still to be constructed and populated. Tim will continue his voluntary service as a chaplain with SA Police.
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