Servant of God
Once a person accepts Jesus as Lord and believes God raised him from the
dead, that person is born again of incorruptible seed and becomes a
child of God.
I Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
That individual can now willingly chose to serve God. The responsibilities and actions of one who serves God or is a servant of God is called in the Greek doulous. A doulous is a bond or bonded slave. He is one who has made a commitment of service to a master.
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant, a doulous, of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.
Paul was a servant first. Then he had the added responsibility of the calling of a gift ministry of being an apostle.
To help us to understand the servant in the Bible, the doulous, we must understand how they served in their day and time. Servants functioned differently than they do now.
In our culture, a waiter or waitress usually serves more than one table. A butler, who is a servant in our culture, serves entire households, all the children and the parents. Not one servant per individual.
If the door needed closing, I could say, “Go close the door, please.” If you were my servant, I might just say “Close the door!” I might communicate a little more direct to my servant what my desires are.
In the Eastern culture, the master would just point. The servant would have to know his master well enough to understand what he wanted done. He makes a motion, and the servant responds to it.
Most of the instruction and most of the contact that went on between the master and the servant, the doulous, on a day by day basis was visual, not audio, not verbal. The master would give only a visual instruction as to what he wanted his servant to do.
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
No one can serve two masters if you had to watch for visual signals? You might be able to do it with audio signals, but you couldn’t with visual signals.
If you have two masters you might miss a signal from one while you were watching or attending to the other. What would you do if they both wanted something done at the same time? If one master wanted an espresso coffee and the other wanted his car started.
The servant would have to make a choice and ultimately the servant would hold to one master more than the other. You just can’t serve both at the same time.
The first point in service is to figure out who to serve. Who is the real master? Since you can only serve one master, who do you serve?
God answered that question with Moses rather succinctly.
Exodus 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying,
2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
There is only one true Master, one true God. We are not to be the servants of men in our hearts.
I Corinthians 7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
Whether in that culture you were a free man or a slave, you were to serve the lord.
There are a number of men throughout the Bible that are called servants, bondservants, doulous, of the one true God. A short list would include Paul, [Romans 1:1, Titus 1:1], James [James 1:1], Peter [II Peter 1:1], Jude [Jude 1], John [Revelation 1:1], Moses [Revelation 15:3], Timothy [Philippians 1:1].
The greatest example though of a sold out committed servant, doulous, was the Lord Jesus Christ. He willfully made himself a slave.
Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Did he have to become a servant? Not unless he wanted to do the Father’s will. Was he compelled by a life stopping force to become a servant? Did someone hold a M16 to his head, or a sword? Did God hold his mother hostage? No, he became a servant willingly. He saw the greater profit in it, as does any servant of the one true God.
Jesus Christ was, not only a servant, but he was the perfect example of a servant.
Matthew 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
This is the context for the following remarks.
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
This was a new concept in leadership; and is still radically different than the world today. The world did not follow Jesus Christ’s example of a true leader, one who is the greater servant, did it? Jesus Christ didn’t say, “I’m too important to serve.” He had every worldly right to demand service from others. Instead he put true leadership into its proper perspective.
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Let him become the one who is bonded to you by service.
Jesus Christ defined true service. In our culture, this kind of leadership is rarely seen. Honestly, we should be surprised when we don’t see a leader being a servant.
II Corinthians gives us an illustration of a corresponding action to Jesus Christ’s commandment of Matthew 20:27.
II Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
As a servant of the most high, Paul came to Corinth preaching Christ. He didn’t preach himself, instead he preached Christ Jesus the lord. A servant does not make himself “of reputation.” The servant is not the important one, the master is? What makes the servant important is his service to the master. Then he really has something to serve to the people.
Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
If we belong to the true God, if He really is our Master, then we should serve only Him.
Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
This is real service to our fellow man.
Luke 5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God…
They came for one reason only, to hear the Word of God. This is another service Jesus Christ provided. He taught the people the Word of God.
The basic framework of a servant was set in the Old Testament.
Deuteronomy 15:12 And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.
It was limited to a six year servitude. This was so no Hebrew could be in bondage to any other Hebrew unless he really wanted to be.
13 And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:
14 Thou shalt furnish him liberally [LIBERALLY] out of thy flock, and out of thy floor [the floor is where the grain was stored, and where the seed-grains for farming were stored], and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
15 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.
If you were sold into slavery, the most you had to serve was six years. When it came time to leave, the owner was to give to you liberally. He was to not only give foodstuffs, but in essence, he was to give enough so that you could be able to start your own independent business.
Since both the master and the servant were of the house of Israel, were Hebrews, they both should have benefited from your working agreement.
When the servant left, it was not in a state of poverty. He was not to leave lost, forlonged, at the mercies of the world. He was to leave his master representative of the blessings of God on the nation of Israel that had been apportioned to that household.
If he worked for a master, being an Israelite, his mere presence would carry the blessing of God. Therefore the master is more blessed having him there than if he had hired some rank unbeliever who didn’t love God, who was not called according to the calling in Abraham.
So when the time comes for the servant to leave, the master was to give to him, as part of their severance agreement, all of the things that were stipulated. He was to leave blessed from the household he helped profit.
However, there was another possibility.
16 And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee;
17 Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
18 It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee [Why?], in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest. [That’s why.]
The master would approach the servant and say, “You have completed your time. Here are your animals, your foodstuffs, your seeds, you are free to go.”
The servant, the doulous, would then have to make a decision whether to leave or stay. If he wanted to stay, the master would take him before the elders at the gate. There, before them all, he would declare the intentions of the servant. He would let them all know that the servant had finished his agreement and that he wanted to stay. The master would then have his servant’s ear pierced.
Exodus 21:1 Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.
2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.
4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself.
5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
Having the ear pierced is not cruel and unusual punishment, instead it is highly significant. It indicates that that man is a bonded servant to a bonded master. The master is also bonded to the servant. He had certain responsibilities to fulfill.
The ear being pierced shows that by free will the servant has committed himself to serving his master in his household which would be a greater blessing to his life than walking away as a free and financially stable man. The servant is able to choose to stay on rather than to pass up the rewards of severance. After six years he would know what the master was really like.
He determines by his own free will, that it would be of more value, of more profit, or more loving, to stay with the master than to set off on his own. The bond slave by his own free will decides to offer his service all the rest of his life to the master.
The master also evaluates, and if in his evaluation, and he ought to know after six years, whether the servant is worth keeping for a lifetime.
If after his evaluation, he deems it worth his while not to settle with his servant and ask him to disappear, then he must publicly acclaim that fact before the elders. He then has to mark the bondservant in the lobe of the ear so that all the days of that bondservant’s life, everyone will know that he represents the master.
The bondservant thus becomes the permanent responsibility of the master, and the master agrees to fulfill his obligations to the bond slave. The bond slave becomes part and parcel of the master’s household. He is no longer a slave that can be dismissed, he becomes a permanent member of the household.
That’s the Biblical foundation for servants.
Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant [doulous], Do this, and he doeth it.
The servant is obligated, required to do what the master says.
Luke 17:7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
This is normal. If the servant is out doing the master’s will, when he comes back the master doesn’t say, “Since you’ve had it so rough, sit down, I’ll serve you.” No, he says, “This is what you get paid to do, I want food on my plate.” Afterwards, when the servant finally gets to eat, the master has provisions for him. The servant doesn’t have to provide for himself.
Service to the master is a normal requirement. One doesn’t sign back on for a lifetime to do nothing. Likewise he didn’t accept you back because you were a bad servant. You had some value to the master.
The servant is obligated to do what the master tells him to do. On the other hand the master is obligated to give instructions to the servant. It is the master’s responsibility to clearly communicate to his servant his intents and his desires to the end that the servant understands them.
It is not the servant’s responsibility to make up his own instructions. It is the responsibility of the master to provide clear concise directives, so that the servant can understand what is required of him. “Say unto my servant, do this and he doeth it.” If it was not clear, how could he do it? It would be impossible for him.
The servitude was not open ended where you work for some guy by showing up and doing what you want. It is the responsibility of the master to direct, clearly and concisely, the activities of the servant.
Matthew 22:1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
The master sent those servants. Thus the servants were both trusted and entrusted. They were trusted men and women, faithful to carry the message from the master, and they were also entrusted with the message.
Presumably the men and women they addressed would have been men and women of comparable social status to the king. When a servant arrives with the mark of his master, having a boored ear, the guests know he represents somebody. The words he speaks are the words of his master. He bears his mark.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof,...he said “oh it’s only a servant, I have a dozen of them.”
7b he was wroth:...because he cared for his servants. The rejection of those servants was the master’s rejection. Their actions toward the servants represented their intended actions toward the master.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
The master took vengeance for the sake of his reputation and because of his care for his servants. He had accepted responsibility before the elders and all men for the lives of those servants. He was publicly responsible for his servants.
8 Then saith he to his servants, the wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
Again the servants were trusted and entrusted with a responsibility by the master. Clear and concise instruction was given to the end that they could carry it out. The master backed up their actions.
When those dealt spitefully with him by slewing his servants, the master took the vengeance on behalf of his servants. He stood behind his servants, because the servants were his and were his representatives and responsibilities.
Did the servants follow through on what the master asked? They fulfilled their responsibility. What was the reciprocal response by the master? Protection of the servant to the point of even sending out his armies to avenge them.
Matthew 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
In this parable, the master is gambling on the faithfulness of his servants. He is leaving and he delivers his goods unto his servants. That’s a risk. Normally you don’t just give things to hired help and disappear on a world cruise, do you?
Unless, of course they are servants who have proven themselves trustworthy. Servants who have already served with you for a minimum of six years, been accepted by you, and are bonded with your mark so that when they go to the market and trade, all will know that they trade for a master.
Everywhere they go for the rest of their lives all will always know that they belong to a master. They represent him in their transactions. Today we ask who people represent. Which company? Does that company have a good name? Does it have a proven track record?
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several [idios] ability; and straightway took his journey.
The master was intimately enough acquainted with the abilities of each and every one of his servants that he could assign business tasks, work responsibilities, without over taxing or under taxing their abilities.
He knew what the capabilities of each of his servants were. He knew each one so well, their abilities, and their inabilities, that he knew what he could entrust each with.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
The master had gambled on his servants. He issued them their talents and went on his journey. He did not call them every day, or watch CNN to follow what they were doing. When he returns home, he’ll find out what transpired while he was away.
There had to be a relationship of trust between the master and the servant and between the servant and the master. The master in this case initiated and recognized that relationship of trust. He issued the money to his men, with instructions. The servants took the money, and according to their relationship to the master, did with the money what they felt was the best.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
The master was gone a long time. In the mean time the servants acted independently of the master within the scope of his guidance, his will, his instructions.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
He was faithful, he proved himself trustworthy, and so he received a reward.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
Initially, he gave him only two talents because of the servant’s ability.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Since the master has previous understanding of his servant, he didn’t say, “Where are my other three? The other servant made five.”
He knew the individual’s capabilities and abilities, so his reward, his recognition of achievement, was in light of the master’s understanding of what this servant was capable of. He did not demand five out of the two, nor would he have accepted two out of the servant that had the five.
They both performed to the standard that was expected, and he accepted their work even though it was not equal. None was given more than they could handle. The master had a responsibility to the servant, to work with him, to develop him, and he had to do it in terms of the servants ability.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, [FEAR!] and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest...
The servant knew. He had been instructed on how his master operates.
26b ...that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
This servant was not faithful. The other two were. They proved their trustworthiness. It was fear, not lack of ability, which got this servant into trouble. The master said to the first two, “Thou are a good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your lord” because they had been faithful to their abilities.
The master had recognized their several abilities. He was intimately knowledgeable with what to expect from them. They fulfilled his expectations out of love and obligation; they were faithful.
The servant he gave the one talent to “was afraid.” He let fear stop him from living up to his ability. He did not perform faithfully and because of his unfaithful performance, his lack of representation of the master, he got rejected by the master.
It was not in the amount of what they gained or didn’t gain, otherwise the man who only made two more, should have been thrown out as well. That servant was within the expectations of the master, and had utilized his abilities to the fullest, and in using these abilities, was in the joy and acceptation of his master.
The master’s reproof, his discontent, was based on the lack of performance despite the man’s ability. Even though his ability was limited, he had enough ability to perform what was expected of him. He neglected the known instruction that the master had given him.
From this parable Jesus taught, we learned that the master is intimately knowledgeable with the abilities of his servants, and does not commit more to them than they are capable of handling.
Once the servant is trusted and known to the master, instructions are given and on occasion, the servant is allowed to function totally independently within the framework of what the master has commanded.
The master didn’t have to lay out a daily routine for them to carry out. He left and came back and said, “Bring me the books.” After reviewing their accomplishments, he said, “Great job have some more. Great job have some more. What did you do? Get out of here! Give it to him.”
Likewise with us as servants in this administration, God doesn’t have to give us specific revelation about what to do every day. He has already given us His Word. There is much instruction there for us to follow.
Ephesians 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence [good sense];
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
We find plenty of wisdom and good sense in God’s Word. God doesn’t want us sitting around waiting for specific instructions, He has already given us plenty. Pray, reconcile men and women to Him, walk in love, be especially good unto the household, stand ... These are just a few of the commandments He has already given to us.
He has recorded in His Word His wisdom and given us the good sense to carry it out.
Mark 13:34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants.
The master gave his servants authority. The master needs to give authority to his servants if they are to do his work. It is then up to the servants to utilize the master’s authority to get the work done. If the servant doesn’t use it, is he a faithful servant?
However, does the servant usurp authority? Does he take unto himself unissued authority? It is the responsibility of the master to issue the authority. If the master does not issue the authority, then the servant does not have the authority.
In the last record, did the servants steal the money, go out and invest it, and come back and say, “Look what a great job we did behind your back.” No. The master was the one who issued both the wherewithal and the authority. It was up to them to utilize their own abilities which had been issued them.
Luke 7:1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
The servant was held in a position that was dear, esteemed, honored, loved, and cherished in the household. He was not like a dog, used and then kicked out. The servant was dear, held in high esteem in the master’s household.
Everywhere that servant went, he represented the master. If they didn’t get along, how would he represent the master when he was in town? There would be no joy manifested in the servants face. “That stupid guy I work for...”
In verse 2 we read, “who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.”
If he didn’t like his servant, he would have let him die.
3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
He didn’t go himself, he sent honored representatives, elders of the Jews, to represent him in the negotiations for Jesus Christ to come over to his house and heal his servant.
4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
This indicates that the man was not of the nation of the Hebrews, not a Judean. Why would he need to send the elders, or why would they need to vouch for his reputation if he was a Judean.
6 Then Jesus went with them.
This man had to have been very well versed in the Jewish traditions. He built them a synagogue. He loved their nation. Some of his decisions that he makes are some of the most kind and loving decisions that he could have ever made.
6b And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
If Jesus Christ had entered under the roof of a non-Judean Jesus would have been unclean. He would have defiled himself. Since Jesus always did His Father’s will, it was fine with the Father for him to go. He knew that the Father would figure something out.
The centurion goes to great lengths to help his servant. He asked for help from the elders of the gate to talk to Jesus. This was quite a risk to take on behalf of his servant. What happens if the elders said no? Or if they wanted to barter?
7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
Then he begins to explain why he understands that this could take place without the actual presence of Jesus Christ.
8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Why? He simply believed in Jesus Christ’s ability to heal.
On behalf of his servant, the centurion applied plenty of thought and action to get him healed. He had to think through how he wanted to contact Jesus Christ. Next he had to make contact with the men who would be respectable to Jesus Christ. Then do it in such a way that they would willingly pursue for him what he needed.
Then once they made application to Jesus and Jesus started toward the man’s house, he already had friends standing by in the event that he needed someone to “go out there and tell them I don’t want him to defile himself, just say the word, I understand and know how this can happen.”
All of this was done to save a servant, and all a servant does is go when he goeth and come when he cometh. Look at what the master did on his behalf!
10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
That man believed tremendously for the welfare of his servant. The servant makes a free will decision to serve. Therefore he only serves a master that he would love and respect and would benefit from serving. The servant represents the master.
The servant’s welfare in all categories reflects the master’s goodness and his ability to take care of his servants. Everywhere that the servant goes, since his ear is marked, people can see the ability of the master by how it’s represented in the life of the servant.
If the master were to cut corners to the end that his servant was broke, what would it look like? That he isn’t such a good provider, a good master. Who would want to do business with someone who treated his servants that way?
The servant verbally represents the master, thus he has to have words to speak, given to him by the master. The servant carries out orders and instructions for the master. The master must provide those orders and those instructions as well as the wherewithal to accomplish the tasks bidden him.
The servants have to obey the master. However the master must be trustworthy enough that the servant would be willing to indenture himself all the days of his life to obey him. The master has to be trustworthy. If he’s untrustworthy, would you sign on?
Would you work for a company that tells you one thing and does something else consistently? You would bail. You wouldn’t sign a lifetime contract. You would be out of there in six years with whatever they would give you.
To be faithful servants we have to recognize not only our responsibilities and obligations but the abilities and the commitment of the Master to His instructions and to us as His sold out servants.
I Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve [Verb form of doulous] the living and true God;
By our own free will decision we can turn and serve the living and true God, rather than idols. Then all the days of our lives we are responsible to the Master. The Master in turn, is responsible to us to fulfill what His Word instructs us to do. The commitments of the Master to His servants as well as the commitments of the servants to the Master is that partnership we have with God.
I Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
That individual can now willingly chose to serve God. The responsibilities and actions of one who serves God or is a servant of God is called in the Greek doulous. A doulous is a bond or bonded slave. He is one who has made a commitment of service to a master.
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant, a doulous, of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.
Paul was a servant first. Then he had the added responsibility of the calling of a gift ministry of being an apostle.
To help us to understand the servant in the Bible, the doulous, we must understand how they served in their day and time. Servants functioned differently than they do now.
In our culture, a waiter or waitress usually serves more than one table. A butler, who is a servant in our culture, serves entire households, all the children and the parents. Not one servant per individual.
If the door needed closing, I could say, “Go close the door, please.” If you were my servant, I might just say “Close the door!” I might communicate a little more direct to my servant what my desires are.
In the Eastern culture, the master would just point. The servant would have to know his master well enough to understand what he wanted done. He makes a motion, and the servant responds to it.
Most of the instruction and most of the contact that went on between the master and the servant, the doulous, on a day by day basis was visual, not audio, not verbal. The master would give only a visual instruction as to what he wanted his servant to do.
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
No one can serve two masters if you had to watch for visual signals? You might be able to do it with audio signals, but you couldn’t with visual signals.
If you have two masters you might miss a signal from one while you were watching or attending to the other. What would you do if they both wanted something done at the same time? If one master wanted an espresso coffee and the other wanted his car started.
The servant would have to make a choice and ultimately the servant would hold to one master more than the other. You just can’t serve both at the same time.
The first point in service is to figure out who to serve. Who is the real master? Since you can only serve one master, who do you serve?
God answered that question with Moses rather succinctly.
Exodus 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying,
2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
There is only one true Master, one true God. We are not to be the servants of men in our hearts.
I Corinthians 7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
Whether in that culture you were a free man or a slave, you were to serve the lord.
There are a number of men throughout the Bible that are called servants, bondservants, doulous, of the one true God. A short list would include Paul, [Romans 1:1, Titus 1:1], James [James 1:1], Peter [II Peter 1:1], Jude [Jude 1], John [Revelation 1:1], Moses [Revelation 15:3], Timothy [Philippians 1:1].
The greatest example though of a sold out committed servant, doulous, was the Lord Jesus Christ. He willfully made himself a slave.
Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Did he have to become a servant? Not unless he wanted to do the Father’s will. Was he compelled by a life stopping force to become a servant? Did someone hold a M16 to his head, or a sword? Did God hold his mother hostage? No, he became a servant willingly. He saw the greater profit in it, as does any servant of the one true God.
Jesus Christ was, not only a servant, but he was the perfect example of a servant.
Matthew 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
This is the context for the following remarks.
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
This was a new concept in leadership; and is still radically different than the world today. The world did not follow Jesus Christ’s example of a true leader, one who is the greater servant, did it? Jesus Christ didn’t say, “I’m too important to serve.” He had every worldly right to demand service from others. Instead he put true leadership into its proper perspective.
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Let him become the one who is bonded to you by service.
Jesus Christ defined true service. In our culture, this kind of leadership is rarely seen. Honestly, we should be surprised when we don’t see a leader being a servant.
II Corinthians gives us an illustration of a corresponding action to Jesus Christ’s commandment of Matthew 20:27.
II Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
As a servant of the most high, Paul came to Corinth preaching Christ. He didn’t preach himself, instead he preached Christ Jesus the lord. A servant does not make himself “of reputation.” The servant is not the important one, the master is? What makes the servant important is his service to the master. Then he really has something to serve to the people.
Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
If we belong to the true God, if He really is our Master, then we should serve only Him.
Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
This is real service to our fellow man.
Luke 5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God…
They came for one reason only, to hear the Word of God. This is another service Jesus Christ provided. He taught the people the Word of God.
The basic framework of a servant was set in the Old Testament.
Deuteronomy 15:12 And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.
It was limited to a six year servitude. This was so no Hebrew could be in bondage to any other Hebrew unless he really wanted to be.
13 And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:
14 Thou shalt furnish him liberally [LIBERALLY] out of thy flock, and out of thy floor [the floor is where the grain was stored, and where the seed-grains for farming were stored], and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
15 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.
If you were sold into slavery, the most you had to serve was six years. When it came time to leave, the owner was to give to you liberally. He was to not only give foodstuffs, but in essence, he was to give enough so that you could be able to start your own independent business.
Since both the master and the servant were of the house of Israel, were Hebrews, they both should have benefited from your working agreement.
When the servant left, it was not in a state of poverty. He was not to leave lost, forlonged, at the mercies of the world. He was to leave his master representative of the blessings of God on the nation of Israel that had been apportioned to that household.
If he worked for a master, being an Israelite, his mere presence would carry the blessing of God. Therefore the master is more blessed having him there than if he had hired some rank unbeliever who didn’t love God, who was not called according to the calling in Abraham.
So when the time comes for the servant to leave, the master was to give to him, as part of their severance agreement, all of the things that were stipulated. He was to leave blessed from the household he helped profit.
However, there was another possibility.
16 And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee;
17 Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
18 It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee [Why?], in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest. [That’s why.]
The master would approach the servant and say, “You have completed your time. Here are your animals, your foodstuffs, your seeds, you are free to go.”
The servant, the doulous, would then have to make a decision whether to leave or stay. If he wanted to stay, the master would take him before the elders at the gate. There, before them all, he would declare the intentions of the servant. He would let them all know that the servant had finished his agreement and that he wanted to stay. The master would then have his servant’s ear pierced.
Exodus 21:1 Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.
2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.
4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself.
5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
Having the ear pierced is not cruel and unusual punishment, instead it is highly significant. It indicates that that man is a bonded servant to a bonded master. The master is also bonded to the servant. He had certain responsibilities to fulfill.
The ear being pierced shows that by free will the servant has committed himself to serving his master in his household which would be a greater blessing to his life than walking away as a free and financially stable man. The servant is able to choose to stay on rather than to pass up the rewards of severance. After six years he would know what the master was really like.
He determines by his own free will, that it would be of more value, of more profit, or more loving, to stay with the master than to set off on his own. The bond slave by his own free will decides to offer his service all the rest of his life to the master.
The master also evaluates, and if in his evaluation, and he ought to know after six years, whether the servant is worth keeping for a lifetime.
If after his evaluation, he deems it worth his while not to settle with his servant and ask him to disappear, then he must publicly acclaim that fact before the elders. He then has to mark the bondservant in the lobe of the ear so that all the days of that bondservant’s life, everyone will know that he represents the master.
The bondservant thus becomes the permanent responsibility of the master, and the master agrees to fulfill his obligations to the bond slave. The bond slave becomes part and parcel of the master’s household. He is no longer a slave that can be dismissed, he becomes a permanent member of the household.
That’s the Biblical foundation for servants.
Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant [doulous], Do this, and he doeth it.
The servant is obligated, required to do what the master says.
Luke 17:7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
This is normal. If the servant is out doing the master’s will, when he comes back the master doesn’t say, “Since you’ve had it so rough, sit down, I’ll serve you.” No, he says, “This is what you get paid to do, I want food on my plate.” Afterwards, when the servant finally gets to eat, the master has provisions for him. The servant doesn’t have to provide for himself.
Service to the master is a normal requirement. One doesn’t sign back on for a lifetime to do nothing. Likewise he didn’t accept you back because you were a bad servant. You had some value to the master.
The servant is obligated to do what the master tells him to do. On the other hand the master is obligated to give instructions to the servant. It is the master’s responsibility to clearly communicate to his servant his intents and his desires to the end that the servant understands them.
It is not the servant’s responsibility to make up his own instructions. It is the responsibility of the master to provide clear concise directives, so that the servant can understand what is required of him. “Say unto my servant, do this and he doeth it.” If it was not clear, how could he do it? It would be impossible for him.
The servitude was not open ended where you work for some guy by showing up and doing what you want. It is the responsibility of the master to direct, clearly and concisely, the activities of the servant.
Matthew 22:1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
The master sent those servants. Thus the servants were both trusted and entrusted. They were trusted men and women, faithful to carry the message from the master, and they were also entrusted with the message.
Presumably the men and women they addressed would have been men and women of comparable social status to the king. When a servant arrives with the mark of his master, having a boored ear, the guests know he represents somebody. The words he speaks are the words of his master. He bears his mark.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof,...he said “oh it’s only a servant, I have a dozen of them.”
7b he was wroth:...because he cared for his servants. The rejection of those servants was the master’s rejection. Their actions toward the servants represented their intended actions toward the master.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
The master took vengeance for the sake of his reputation and because of his care for his servants. He had accepted responsibility before the elders and all men for the lives of those servants. He was publicly responsible for his servants.
8 Then saith he to his servants, the wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
Again the servants were trusted and entrusted with a responsibility by the master. Clear and concise instruction was given to the end that they could carry it out. The master backed up their actions.
When those dealt spitefully with him by slewing his servants, the master took the vengeance on behalf of his servants. He stood behind his servants, because the servants were his and were his representatives and responsibilities.
Did the servants follow through on what the master asked? They fulfilled their responsibility. What was the reciprocal response by the master? Protection of the servant to the point of even sending out his armies to avenge them.
Matthew 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
In this parable, the master is gambling on the faithfulness of his servants. He is leaving and he delivers his goods unto his servants. That’s a risk. Normally you don’t just give things to hired help and disappear on a world cruise, do you?
Unless, of course they are servants who have proven themselves trustworthy. Servants who have already served with you for a minimum of six years, been accepted by you, and are bonded with your mark so that when they go to the market and trade, all will know that they trade for a master.
Everywhere they go for the rest of their lives all will always know that they belong to a master. They represent him in their transactions. Today we ask who people represent. Which company? Does that company have a good name? Does it have a proven track record?
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several [idios] ability; and straightway took his journey.
The master was intimately enough acquainted with the abilities of each and every one of his servants that he could assign business tasks, work responsibilities, without over taxing or under taxing their abilities.
He knew what the capabilities of each of his servants were. He knew each one so well, their abilities, and their inabilities, that he knew what he could entrust each with.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
The master had gambled on his servants. He issued them their talents and went on his journey. He did not call them every day, or watch CNN to follow what they were doing. When he returns home, he’ll find out what transpired while he was away.
There had to be a relationship of trust between the master and the servant and between the servant and the master. The master in this case initiated and recognized that relationship of trust. He issued the money to his men, with instructions. The servants took the money, and according to their relationship to the master, did with the money what they felt was the best.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
The master was gone a long time. In the mean time the servants acted independently of the master within the scope of his guidance, his will, his instructions.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
He was faithful, he proved himself trustworthy, and so he received a reward.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
Initially, he gave him only two talents because of the servant’s ability.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Since the master has previous understanding of his servant, he didn’t say, “Where are my other three? The other servant made five.”
He knew the individual’s capabilities and abilities, so his reward, his recognition of achievement, was in light of the master’s understanding of what this servant was capable of. He did not demand five out of the two, nor would he have accepted two out of the servant that had the five.
They both performed to the standard that was expected, and he accepted their work even though it was not equal. None was given more than they could handle. The master had a responsibility to the servant, to work with him, to develop him, and he had to do it in terms of the servants ability.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, [FEAR!] and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest...
The servant knew. He had been instructed on how his master operates.
26b ...that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
This servant was not faithful. The other two were. They proved their trustworthiness. It was fear, not lack of ability, which got this servant into trouble. The master said to the first two, “Thou are a good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your lord” because they had been faithful to their abilities.
The master had recognized their several abilities. He was intimately knowledgeable with what to expect from them. They fulfilled his expectations out of love and obligation; they were faithful.
The servant he gave the one talent to “was afraid.” He let fear stop him from living up to his ability. He did not perform faithfully and because of his unfaithful performance, his lack of representation of the master, he got rejected by the master.
It was not in the amount of what they gained or didn’t gain, otherwise the man who only made two more, should have been thrown out as well. That servant was within the expectations of the master, and had utilized his abilities to the fullest, and in using these abilities, was in the joy and acceptation of his master.
The master’s reproof, his discontent, was based on the lack of performance despite the man’s ability. Even though his ability was limited, he had enough ability to perform what was expected of him. He neglected the known instruction that the master had given him.
From this parable Jesus taught, we learned that the master is intimately knowledgeable with the abilities of his servants, and does not commit more to them than they are capable of handling.
Once the servant is trusted and known to the master, instructions are given and on occasion, the servant is allowed to function totally independently within the framework of what the master has commanded.
The master didn’t have to lay out a daily routine for them to carry out. He left and came back and said, “Bring me the books.” After reviewing their accomplishments, he said, “Great job have some more. Great job have some more. What did you do? Get out of here! Give it to him.”
Likewise with us as servants in this administration, God doesn’t have to give us specific revelation about what to do every day. He has already given us His Word. There is much instruction there for us to follow.
Ephesians 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence [good sense];
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
We find plenty of wisdom and good sense in God’s Word. God doesn’t want us sitting around waiting for specific instructions, He has already given us plenty. Pray, reconcile men and women to Him, walk in love, be especially good unto the household, stand ... These are just a few of the commandments He has already given to us.
He has recorded in His Word His wisdom and given us the good sense to carry it out.
Mark 13:34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants.
The master gave his servants authority. The master needs to give authority to his servants if they are to do his work. It is then up to the servants to utilize the master’s authority to get the work done. If the servant doesn’t use it, is he a faithful servant?
However, does the servant usurp authority? Does he take unto himself unissued authority? It is the responsibility of the master to issue the authority. If the master does not issue the authority, then the servant does not have the authority.
In the last record, did the servants steal the money, go out and invest it, and come back and say, “Look what a great job we did behind your back.” No. The master was the one who issued both the wherewithal and the authority. It was up to them to utilize their own abilities which had been issued them.
Luke 7:1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
The servant was held in a position that was dear, esteemed, honored, loved, and cherished in the household. He was not like a dog, used and then kicked out. The servant was dear, held in high esteem in the master’s household.
Everywhere that servant went, he represented the master. If they didn’t get along, how would he represent the master when he was in town? There would be no joy manifested in the servants face. “That stupid guy I work for...”
In verse 2 we read, “who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.”
If he didn’t like his servant, he would have let him die.
3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
He didn’t go himself, he sent honored representatives, elders of the Jews, to represent him in the negotiations for Jesus Christ to come over to his house and heal his servant.
4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
This indicates that the man was not of the nation of the Hebrews, not a Judean. Why would he need to send the elders, or why would they need to vouch for his reputation if he was a Judean.
6 Then Jesus went with them.
This man had to have been very well versed in the Jewish traditions. He built them a synagogue. He loved their nation. Some of his decisions that he makes are some of the most kind and loving decisions that he could have ever made.
6b And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
If Jesus Christ had entered under the roof of a non-Judean Jesus would have been unclean. He would have defiled himself. Since Jesus always did His Father’s will, it was fine with the Father for him to go. He knew that the Father would figure something out.
The centurion goes to great lengths to help his servant. He asked for help from the elders of the gate to talk to Jesus. This was quite a risk to take on behalf of his servant. What happens if the elders said no? Or if they wanted to barter?
7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
Then he begins to explain why he understands that this could take place without the actual presence of Jesus Christ.
8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Why? He simply believed in Jesus Christ’s ability to heal.
On behalf of his servant, the centurion applied plenty of thought and action to get him healed. He had to think through how he wanted to contact Jesus Christ. Next he had to make contact with the men who would be respectable to Jesus Christ. Then do it in such a way that they would willingly pursue for him what he needed.
Then once they made application to Jesus and Jesus started toward the man’s house, he already had friends standing by in the event that he needed someone to “go out there and tell them I don’t want him to defile himself, just say the word, I understand and know how this can happen.”
All of this was done to save a servant, and all a servant does is go when he goeth and come when he cometh. Look at what the master did on his behalf!
10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
That man believed tremendously for the welfare of his servant. The servant makes a free will decision to serve. Therefore he only serves a master that he would love and respect and would benefit from serving. The servant represents the master.
The servant’s welfare in all categories reflects the master’s goodness and his ability to take care of his servants. Everywhere that the servant goes, since his ear is marked, people can see the ability of the master by how it’s represented in the life of the servant.
If the master were to cut corners to the end that his servant was broke, what would it look like? That he isn’t such a good provider, a good master. Who would want to do business with someone who treated his servants that way?
The servant verbally represents the master, thus he has to have words to speak, given to him by the master. The servant carries out orders and instructions for the master. The master must provide those orders and those instructions as well as the wherewithal to accomplish the tasks bidden him.
The servants have to obey the master. However the master must be trustworthy enough that the servant would be willing to indenture himself all the days of his life to obey him. The master has to be trustworthy. If he’s untrustworthy, would you sign on?
Would you work for a company that tells you one thing and does something else consistently? You would bail. You wouldn’t sign a lifetime contract. You would be out of there in six years with whatever they would give you.
To be faithful servants we have to recognize not only our responsibilities and obligations but the abilities and the commitment of the Master to His instructions and to us as His sold out servants.
I Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve [Verb form of doulous] the living and true God;
By our own free will decision we can turn and serve the living and true God, rather than idols. Then all the days of our lives we are responsible to the Master. The Master in turn, is responsible to us to fulfill what His Word instructs us to do. The commitments of the Master to His servants as well as the commitments of the servants to the Master is that partnership we have with God.