For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)
How can I help you? This question underpins a lot of what is referred to as the service industry. In fact, most businesses operate best by identifying a niche in the market that they can fill by appealing to a specific audience, which is their unique way of helping you. On the one hand, it makes the person feel like a customer, and with that comes the sense of being entitled to things. And for all the flashy, glossy ways in which marketing can make services appear amazing and thrilling, there is often something lacking in the service itself.
A remarkable aspect of the Messiah’s appearance on earth and His time walking the highways and byways of Israel, is that He did not come to be served, He came to serve. There were different ways that Jesus served. From the intimate servant mentality that led to Him washing the feet of His disciples, to the way He reached the poor and destitute to give them hope and healing. There were His actions, and there was the teaching that helped observers understand that the expression of the Kingdom was seen in the way people’s lives were touched and blessed by His activity. The blind receiving sight – this is Kingdom service. The lame being able to walk – this is Kingdom service. The cleansing of the lepers so they could be reintegrated into common society – this is Kingdom service. Kingdom rule is about Kingdom service, which is not based on glitz and glamour or clever marketing ploys – it is about reaching people where they are and meeting needs at the surface and beyond, in a bid to reconnect people to their Creator.
Jesus is the epitome of what it is to experience vibrant service. Recipients of that service knew that their lives were never the same after experiencing the healing, the teaching, the provision, that precious connection with Jesus. This is something that also marked the early church. Evident in their sacrificial serving to each other and then displayed in their acts to others to show the works of God in healing, restoring, equipping and empowering. The heart of this is the desire to love God with everything and then experience the Spirit’s power to serve others. The issue of receiving spiritual gifts was not to have something to show off as though you were superior to others. The idea behind the gift was that it was not for the one who received it, but rather for the benefit, development, growth, and blessing of others. That gift was an opportunity to join Jesus in serving with the life-giving power of the Spirit.
Whether it was working for organisations like the YMCA or being a part of some church fellowships, I’ve had the great honour of participating in this kind of vibrant service. Here, there was a recognition that being a part of the church was not a spectator sport. It wasn’t a matter of coming to a weekly pep talk that made us feel good and gave us something to help us endure the rest of the week. It was a matter of seeing where Jesus was serving in our church family and joining Him. Then seeing how He was impacting the community, from the homeless to the stranger, from the orphan to the prisoners looking to rehabilitate. Seeing Jesus’ heart for serving these people to display Kingdom rule as Kingdom service and being a part of that wholeheartedly. It was a great privilege to be among brothers and sisters who were totally sold out to put their faith into practice and show their love for God by displaying their love for people in all sorts of ways to reach them, help them, and then refer them to the One who gave them the vibrancy to serve.
There’s a saying that suggests that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. In dying on the cross to take the sins of the world, Jesus displayed the greatest expression of care. He showed the greatest heart of service in doing this as a culmination of expressing the heart of God to serve. Turning water into wine, healing remotely, rescuing people locked in situations for years, feeding thousands, walking on water to be with his disciples, raising people from the dead, giving sight to those born blind, and so much more were clear indications of who Jesus is and how His service was not like any other. His Spirit among His followers uniquely equips us to carry on what He did so the world will observe the power in this vibrant service.
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
Next Steps
Reflect: Would you know the difference between service that comes from God and service that comes from elsewhere? Have you offered the kind of service that comes from your relationship with God?
Pray: Father, help us remember that as your workmanship created for good works in Christ, that we are to make the most of the time we have to put all that you’ve given us to serve others and put your Kingdom rule on display. For your honour and your glory.
Act: Link up with a friend in Christ and prayerfully consider what you’ll work on in delivering Kingdom service this week and map out a strategy to make that an intentional part of your weekly life for the next quarter. Note your experiences and use them to discover what it means to be the workmanship of Christ.
