[Know This] Promises of a Precious FaithSample

Jesus’ Bondservant

Peter’s experiences with Jesus and the Holy Spirit molded and shaped him into a different man. How different? We are about to see.

In 2 Peter 1:1, the apostle calls himself three different things. And by doing so, he is revealing his position and ministry.

First, Peter calls himself Simon Peter. This is interesting because, in First Peter, he only calls himself Peter. Scholars believe that in Second Peter he uses his Hebrew and Greek names because his audience is comprised of Jewish and Gentile Christians and Peter is trying to bring them together.

Second, Peter calls himself a bondservant. In First Peter, he only calls himself an apostle. The Greek word for bondservant literally means “slave” or “servant.” Peter is identifying himself with those whose service is used by Christ to extend and advance His cause, in contrast to false teachers who are slaves of corruption. Everything hangs by the thread of who is our Master.

Third, Peter describes himself as an apostle. Literally, “a sent-out one.” Or, “an eyewitness who has seen the resurrected Jesus in all His glory.”

By setting out his position as having no partiality between Jew and Greek, being a servant first, and then an apostle, Peter is echoing Philippians 2, which says Jesus came in the form of a bondservant.

Peter changed so much over time. He had been careless, overconfident, and self-focused, but his character was transformed to the point where he mirrored Jesus.

Peter’s was a ministry of servanthood. Do I define myself as a servant of Jesus Christ?

A. E. Whitman, a preacher, used to say that in the New Jerusalem, some biblical items will be on display in a museum, but not the towel and the basin Jesus used in the Last Supper. Why? Because in the New Jerusalem, they are in constant use. Servanthood is still what it is all about. Is your towel and basin in constant use?

Father, I can see how You have begun to shape me into Your servant. Let me seize every opportunity for ministry by doing whatever You give me to do.