The Marks of Jesus – Servanthood

From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the marks that show I belong to Jesus.

Gal 6:17

We are investigating Galatians 6:17 above and I am responding to the question: What does it mean in Gal 6:17 “The Marks of Jesus”? What are the marks of Jesus?

In the previous Nugget I began with the obvious reference to “Holiness”. I looked at the mark of holiness. What did you conclude? Could Paul have been referring to the mark of Holiness? I left you to ponder this set of questions for yourself:

1. Was this a Mark of Jesus?
2. Was this a Mark that Paul bore on or in his body?
3. Could this be what Paul is referring to?
4. What’s your conclusion?
5. Is this a Mark which characterises you?

So could Holiness be what Paul was referring to?

1. Yes, it was a Mark of God and Jesus in that we are called to be holy as God is holy.
2. Yes, it was certainly a mark which Paul had on his life although there was no specific mark on his body. (Phil 3:5)
3. Yes, it could be.
4. It was highly likely Paul included Holiness in his thinking; all Christians ought to be characterised or marked by holiness. But you need to realise before you work out YOUR holiness that God has given you His Holiness / Righteousness in Christ. You are one of God’s saints. God calls you ‘hagios’ / ‘hagioi’.
5. What about you? Is the Mark of Holiness on your life?

The Mark of Servanthood

This week we are looking at the mark of Servanthood.

There is a fascinating concept found in the Torah: Exodus 21:5-6

But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.

Exodus 21:5-6

If you love your Master, namely God, are you willing to be His slave for life? Paul often refers to himself as the bond slave of Jesus Christ. All through the New Testament is the idea of us being the slaves of Christ. Such verses are not hard to find. I will leave you with the pleasure of finding them. They are everywhere. Here is one of the most powerful in stereo.

But among you it will be different, whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.  

Matt 20:26

But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.

Luke 22:26

A nice notion isn’t it. It seems fashionable in Christian circles these days to talk about Servant Leadership. There are many people / leaders who like to refer to themselves as a servant of God. But many of these same people wear the title like a badge of office. I don’t mind being called a servant of God but don’t treat me like a servant. 

“I am important don’t you know?” 

“I deserve respect and honour as a “servant of God.”

“You want me to do what; put the rubbish bin out? I’ll have you know I am the head of a mission organisation; I don’t do menial things like that.”

“My name plate and that of my mission must be above the other one.”

Jackie Pullinger (of Chasing the Dragon fame) tells how many Christians after reading her exciting book of all God is doing, turn up at her ministry centre in Kowloon City, Hong Kong looking to be involved in the “ministry”. They tell her they have come to be ministers – [diakonos] in Greek is translated as deacon but literally means servant. Jackie Pullinger has a standard ploy with such people. She asks them start by cleaning the toilets and usually any notion of servanthood quickly vanishes. They like to be considered a servant of God, even wear the name badge or have the name plate on their desk – ‘Someone Important’ {Head of Mission). But when any serving is expected of them they quickly disappear. I love the quote from Robb Thompson, “The Test Of A True Servant Is How He Acts When He Is Treated Like One.”

While active in Jakarta Praise Community Church all leaders were given a bag on which was written – “Servant leaders say follow me and I’ll work to enable you.” I loved that bag. My desire is to serve and help others grow to levels higher than I achieved. Work to enable others and don’t stop to consider what you will get out of it. As Jesus said:

And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not.

Luke 17:9

How are you going with your Mark of Servanthood? Do you have a pierced ear indicating that you are a servant of the Living God, dedicated to His service for your whole life long? Or do you like to serve when it suits you? When people start to treat you like a servant or give you tasks you don’t like, do you seek for a way out? Oh you may not have a pierced ear like in the days of Exodus, but at least you ought to have the mark of servanthood on your heart and a willingness to serve God in whatever way He deems appropriate.

Do you have this mark on your life?

Ask God if He sees that Mark on your life if you dare.

Apply the standard Questions to this Mark of Jesus.

Before the next Nugget spend some time thinking about this connection to the Mark of Servanthood and work your way through the above FIVE QUESTIONS for this option to Paul’s use of stigmata.