100 Days of HopeSample

What is A Servant?

The story goes that the great father of the Cuban nation, José Martí, visited the Dominican General Maximo Gomez and asked him for a favor. What was his request of Gomez? To liberate a people not his own, to free the Cuban people of the oppressive yoke of its mother country, Spain.

At the request, the general asked, “And what things will you offer me?”

To which Marti replied, “I offer oblivion, contempt, and ingratitude of the people. That [is what] I offer.”

On hearing this General Gomez said, “I will go with you!”

It is precisely this kind of sacrificial service, full of passion, that marks Jesus Christ and those who are the followers of Jesus. The word “servant” that appears in Philippians is the Greek word “doulous,” translated “slave” or “person who is in subjection or subordination, subjection voluntary or involuntary.”

In Latin America where I am from, doulous does not apply to any facet of life. Politicians serve themselves, not their people; police authorities sell themselves to the highest bidder; and often even Christian leaders imitate non-Christians in their eagerness to be served.

But Christ—through His sacrificial service—calls us to be countercultural. Today, as children of God participating in the ministry of God, we are called to take the identify of doulous. How is He calling you to use your gifts and talents to serve others?

Prayer: Father, thank you that Jesus Christ took on the nature of doulous for us. Give us your heart to become more like a servant.