The Servant

By

Pastor B.J. Knefley

Have you ever given any thought to what makes a person important or valuable? Does one’s profession make a person more valuable or important? Is it their wealth or social status? What about their education, does that make them more valuable or important? What is it? What determines it? Can or could it be that value and importance has nothing to do with any of these? Is it possible that the most valuable and important people are the most inconspicuous people around us?

Jesus, in Matthew 20:25-28 had much to say about what it means to be a servant but sadly many want to be someone or somebody. There aren’t many that want to take on a role of a servant, particularly in the manner that Jesus describes as being a slave. But if you think of it, there are some in our everyday life that have in some sense taken on a role of servant, and some might even think of themselves as being slaves. But it is also a position of great importance and one that often comes with great honor. Who are these people? We call them mothers, or more fondly, “Mom.” They sacrifice a great deal. With the birth of a child their whole world changes. Concern for taking care of their own needs and desires suddenly becomes interrupted by the needs of another. They probably never thought about what this new role was going to bring, but it brings with it a great deal of responsibility. One that interrupts their sleep, quiet time, and everything else you can imagine.

Most mothers put the cares, needs and desires of their children above their own. Even for those that juggle careers with motherhood never fully get a break from being “Mom.” They may command others through their profession while sitting up with a sick child at night simply because they’re “Mom.” We may not think of mothers as being servants, but they have given up a lot to bring you into the world. Perhaps it’s time to thank them for their sacrifice. Think about it.