Letter From the Editor: Servanthood: Honoring Jesus Christ’s Sacrifices Through Reconciliation and Thanksgiving

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Psalms 69:30 KJV  “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”

Explore the concept of servanthood in relation to Jesus Christ’s sacrifices and the importance of reconciliation in our own hearts and families. Discover how God’s grace is sufficient to overcome any challenge and find healing from the wounds of the past.

Keywords: servitude, Jesus Christ, reconciliation, thanksgiving, grace, family, healing, war, disease, finance, homelessness, joblessness, death

Hello ePrayer Circle’s Tribe, 

 

A Servant’s Heart

The concept of servanthood is beautifully captured in the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. This act of humility and service was not merely a symbolic gesture; it was a profound teaching about the importance of putting others first. Jesus’s words, “If you do not allow me to wash your feet, you have no part in me” (John 13:8), underscore the significance of servanthood in our relationship with God.

Imagine angels engaged in celestial warfare, their battles not against flesh and blood but against forces of darkness that seek to disrupt harmony and sever bonds of love. Just as these heavenly warriors fight for the preservation of unity, we too are called to defend the sanctity of relationships, fostering reconciliation within ourselves and with those around us.

Let us cultivate a “spirit of excellence” in our servitude, drawing inspiration from the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His selfless act of love shattered the shackles of sin and opened the gates of eternal life. Through his grace, we find the strength to forgive, to heal, and to restore broken bonds.

John 13:5-11 KJV  ⁵After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. ⁶Then comes he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dose thou wash my feet? ⁷Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou do not know now; but you shallt know hereafter. ⁸Peter saith unto him, You shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him,

If I do not wash your feet, thou hast no part with me. ⁹Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. ¹⁰Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needs not save to wash his feet, but is clean every where: and you are clean, but not all. ¹¹For he knew who should betray him; therefore said Jesus, You are not all clean.

The Bible, a timeless collection of wisdom and guidance, provides numerous examples of individuals who embodied the spirit of service  In the Old Testament, we encounter Moses in the Book of Exdous, the humble shepherd who became a mighty leader, chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. Moses’s willingness to serve, to lay aside his own desires and ambitions for the sake of his people, exemplifies the essence of true servitude.

Similarly, in the New Testament, we find Jesus, the Son of God in the flesh,  and (I AM in the Spirit) the ultimate servant-leader who came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. His life is a testament to the power of humility, compassion, and selfless love. 

John 1:14 KJV  “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”   

John 1:10 KJV  “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.”

The concept of service is not merely a human construct; it is deeply rooted in our relationship with God. In the Bible, God is repeatedly referred to as the “servant of all” (Isaiah 49:6), emphasizing the divine role of service and care. God’s love for humanity is manifested in the countless ways he serves his creation, from providing the sun’s warmth to guiding us through life’s challenges.

Jesus’s teachings on service, such as the parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37 KJV, continue to shape our understanding of what it means to be a “servant with a reconciliation spirit”.  The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 is a story about a man on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho, was robbed and beaten, half dead, and left on the side of the road. A priest and Levite passed him and did not render aid. A  Samaritan came along and helped him.  Jesus teaches that our neighbors are not just the people we know and live near, but also the people who show us love, mercy, and compassion, regardless of their nationality, background, age, economic status or location.

 

Service and Reconciliation

The importance of service is further explained in the biblical concept of reconciliation.  The ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who came to reconcile us to God through his death and resurrection.

Reconciliation is not merely a theological concept; it has profound implications for our relationships with others. When we choose to forgive those who have wronged us, when we extend compassion and understanding to those who differ from us, we are participating in the divine work of reconciliation. Service, in its purest form, is an expression of love and reconciliation, a bridge that connects us to God and to one another.

The Christian Hymn published in 1991 by Broadman Publisher, “This Joy That I Have, The World Didn’t Give It to Me and The World Can’t Take It Away,” captures the essence of joy that comes from serving others. The joy of service is not fleeting or dependent on external circumstances; it is a deep-seated sense of fulfillment that arises from aligning our actions with our values and purpose.

James 1:27 KJV  “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

A Call to Action

As we approach the holiday season, let us remember those who are struggling and reach out with a helping hand. Let us offer our time, our resources, and our love to those in need, fostering a spirit of reconciliation and healing. May we embody the spirit of excellence in our servitude, honoring Jesus Christ’s sacrifices and embracing the power of reconciliation in our own hearts and families. Call that family member, sister, brother or parent you have not spoken to in years.  Can you imagne if God fell out with you and stop speaking to you? Wow.

Mark 12:29-31 KJV Which is the first commandment of all? ²⁹And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: ³⁰And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. ³¹And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 

Amidst the challenges and hardships of life, God’s grace remains our unwavering source of strength and hope. His grace is sufficient to overcome any obstacle, to heal the deepest wounds, and to restore relationships that have been fractured. Let us approach God with open hearts, confident in his unfailing love and mercy. There is no problem bigger than God’s Grace. For my sister and brothers who have suffered hardships and loss of loved ones, find the miracle in it all and keep going. Praise him to make your heart strong by increasing your faith.  Romans 10:17  KJV  “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV  “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

 

Conclusion

As we navigate the complexities of life, let us remember the profound teachings of Jesus Christ, a servant-leader who modeled humility, compassion, and selfless love. Let us strive to embody these qualities in our own lives, reaching out to others in need and fostering reconciliation wherever we go. May our actions reflect a “spirit of excellence” in servitude, honoring Jesus Christ’s sacrifices and embracing the transformative power of reconciliation.   In what ways have you experienced or witnessed the transformative power of reconciliation?

 

May the Love of God Be With You and Your Family,

 

 

 

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Call to Salvation:

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 10:9-10  9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation

John 3:5-6  5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is the Spirit.