The Servant of God

The Servant of God

Genesis 19-21 | Psalm 7 | John 7

Jesus was the Good Servant of God. This isn't a title ascribed to Him anywhere in the Bible (although in Isaiah He is referred to as the "suffering servant" [Isa. 42ff]), but His duties nevertheless mark Him as one who serves God. Jesus was keenly aware of the purposes of God, of the way and will of God. He acted according to this knowledge, teaching and performing miracles 'in secret'. According to the then current society, however, Jesus should have stopped acting in secret because "no one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret" (John 7:4). Jesus knew better. "The right time for me has not yet come," he replied, and added somewhat tellingly, "But for you, any time is right." In saying this, Jesus touched upon one of the most frustrating and often confusing aspects of the Christian life: God's timing.

Have you ever felt that God should act in a particular way at a particular time? Perhaps in healing a loved one or providing for a pressing need? I can think of an infinite (slight exaggeration) list of times I've been of a similar opinion.

Looking at this period of history is particularly telling for the various positions we can take when we disagree with God's actions (or seeming lack-thereof). Broadly speaking at the time of Jesus there were two types of people: 1) those who wanted God to send a particular type of Christ (such as a majestic king), 2) those who merely awaited the fulfilment of the promise of God to send the Christ. Those in the former category pressed their ideas of wisdom upon God, those in the latter, allowed for God's wisdom to shine through unexpectedly.

But God's Christ was unexpected. Who would have guessed that the Christ would be born in a manger to two poor and insignificant Israelites? Who expected that His mission of redemption would be fulfilled through His own suffering, pain and sacrifice? Who would have thought that after accomplishing His mission, those who followed Him would be called to a life of self-sacrifice themselves? No one. No one would have guessed that, because according to human wisdom it's nonsensical. To the first category of people above, Jesus could not be the Christ so they rejected Him. The second category of people, however, were not constrained by such preconceived notions. They were free to recognise Jesus as the one way to God, no matter how ridiculous it at first sounded because they were willing to accept God's wisdom.

If you are a believer, at some point in your life you recognised that God works in mysterious (read 'weird') ways. You are one of those in the latter group who accepted Christ as God sent Him. But how often do you find yourself thinking similarly to those in the former group on certain issues? Perhaps believing that someone is unreachable by the gospel, perhaps not willing to "forgive" God who allowed a tragedy to occur in your life, or perhaps struggling to trust in a God who hasn't provided you with a "need" though you have prayed concerning it constantly. In short, how often do find yourself impatient with God?

We must understand and accept that God's way, no matter how weird, is the best. If, as a believer you have accepted Christ as the sacrificial lamb of God, would you ever trade Him for a 'traditional' saviour? A warrior or king? Someone who can save the body but not the soul? If you lived in the time of Jesus would you have recognised Him as the blessing that He is, or would you have expected something "more"? Perhaps it's the same for your life now. In those issues in your life in which you struggle to trust God, are you imposing your own ideas of what's right on Him? Don't be afraid to trust God when He says to wait patiently. Remember His provision in the past and trust in his provision for the future, for Christ was the opposite of what the people wanted but the only answer for their need.

It may be that you have an idea of God's plan for your life and are tempted to "move forward" as you see best. But be aware of God's timing. I have often found that patience, while tough, is God's chosen course of action. I was recently offered a paid position in my Church, teaching and leading amongst my peers. I was tempted by the knowledge that it would train me further in ministry and enable me to better serve in Internet ministry, also solving my (almost dire) financial problems. In general, I felt that it would be a good way forward. God, however, made it clear to me that accepting the position would pull me away from my responsibilities on the Web (a ministry to which I am called), and therefore was not what He wanted. I declined the position, and among other things found myself contemplating my depressing financial circumstances. The morning after I turned down that position, however, a new job was offered to me that in all respects is better than the first, occupying much less of my time and allowing me to continue studying and ministering on the Web.

The point I'm attempting to make is that, like Jesus, who said "my time has not yet come", we must be aware of God's timing for us. Jesus was protected by God in His resolve to wait on His Father's time (vv.30,44), and so shall all who seek God's path for their lives - be it in assessing how they may serve God or be it waiting on God's provision. I may accept a similar position of teaching and leading in a church at some point in the future, but that isn't what God wants for me now, so I must wait patiently for such a time. We must understand that God provides as He knows best. If we're waiting for a marriage partner or job, for better circumstances or happier times, they will come dependent on God's wisdom. He works in weird ways... but always 'for the good of those who love him'.

Pray now, thanking God for His plan enabling Him to send the Holy Spirit to strengthened and live within us, and pray that you may glorify God in all you do, living the truth at all times.