Wednesday August 19, 2015

Read Phil 2:7, Romans 15:3

I understand why, but I really don’t like it! I understand why we do it but it’s not a good habit to get into. The logic and reasoning is clear but that doesn’t make it right.

In our Bibles, the Greek word δοῦλος (doulos) is more often than not, translated as ‘servant’ and not as ‘slave’, even though there is a much more legitimate and common word for ‘servant’.

The word ‘slave’ grates against our nerves. It makes us recoil in shock and causes us a fair amount of indignation. The term ‘servant’ is far more appetizing for our sophisticated palate. A servant has rights. A servant earns a wage. A servant can make decisions. A servant still has a choice in many situations. But a “slave”???

Listen to Philippians 2:7 in plain old Greek - But Jesus made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a SLAVE…

Jesus willingly, even joyfully, became a slave. Jesus willingly became a nothing with no rights for our sakes. Jesus emptied Himself and became a slave for our sakes.

No matter how hard we try to dignify this truth with more palatable words like ‘servant’ the truth remains. Jesus chose to become a slave to save us from our sins. He became a slave and died as a thief or a criminal (though He had committed no sins) upon a cross for us.

The magnitude of Jesus’ slavery is highlighted in Romans 15:3. Jesus did not seek to please Himself. Jesus’ life was not about His comfort, His pleasure, His mortgage, His income, His retirement fund or even His happiness. As a ‘slave’, He willingly forsook any right He had. And when you think about it, Jesus (being the Son of God) had a lot of rights and privileges. Jesus deserves all glory and honour and praise. He deserves to be worshipped by all humanity and all creation. He deserves to be exalted and praised. Yet, He gave it all up to be a slave for us and for our salvation.

As I contemplate the word ‘slave’ verus the word ‘servant’, I would much rather be a servant. As a servant I can choose when I serve. I can choose who I serve. I can choose the conditions in which I serve. As a servant, I have a high level of control and mastery over my life. But as a slave I am forced to give up my rights, my desires and even the focus of my life. As a slave I bow down to the will of my Master. No wonder they edited out ‘slave’ and put in ‘servant’.

Prayer:

Using today’s Bible passage and notes write down points for

Adoration:

Confession

Thanks

Supplication:

· Pray that our cell groups would be havens of love and encouragement and that each member of the cells would be growing and deepening in their faith, their love of God and their love for each other.

· Pray that our cells would be growing in number as more people sign up for cell and as more people come to Christ in repentance and faith.

 

 Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. What did you learn from today’s passage and reading notes?

2. Describe what you hear when you read or hear the word ‘slave’.

3. If you were to adopt the title of ‘slave’ and live as a ‘slave’ to Christ Jesus from this point forward, what would change in your life?

4. Why is the western world so antagonistic to the idea of being slaves to Christ Jesus?