Become a Bond Servant of Christ

Intro: Bondservant (34 Occurrences)

In Mark, the life of the disciple is presented as being essentially continuous with that of Jesus. A disciple is one who is able to become a diakonos and a doulos, which come with following Jesus. However, the disciples of Jesus in general and James and John in particular demonstrated a misunderstanding of discipleship when they made a request for seats of honor in Mk 10.35–42. This article demonstrates through a social scientific reading of Mk 10.43–44 that Jesus’ teaching on diakonos and doulos is a call to true discipleship. This shall be achieved by studying the literature review on Mk 10.35–45 as a point of departure. The meaning of the words diakonos and doulos in Mk 10.43–44 shall be explained as part of exegesis on the text. The purpose is to demonstrate that Jesus’ response to discipleship misconceptions is a call to true discipleship.

What does it mean to be a servant of Christ?

In many places in the New Testament, the apostle Paul refers to himself as “a servant of Jesus Christ” (e.g., Romans 1:1; Colossians 4:12; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 4:6). The Lord’s half-brother Jude refers to himself in the same way (Jude 1:1). Rather than capitalize on his close relationship to Jesus, Jude relegated himself to the status of a servant. Jesus’ family, friends, and chosen apostles refer to themselves as His servants, the plain implication being that Jesus is Lord. “Servant” is a translation of the Greek word doulos, which means more literally “a slave or bondservant, someone who sets aside all rights of his own to serve another.” Because the word slave carries such a negative connotation to our modern sensitivities, we often choose the word servant instead. However, servant does not quite capture the real meaning of doulos. Paul said he was a “slave” to Christ. In ancient times, slaves were purchased or born into a slave family and served the master until they died or until the master decided to free them. Some slaves had developed such a close and loving relationship with the master’s family that they wanted to continue serving, even when they could go free. That’s the idea Paul and others were conveying when they referred to themselves as servants of Christ. The Lord has bought us with a high price (1 Corinthians 6:20), and those who come to know Him desire to abandon all rights to Him and choose to serve Him faithfully. A servant of Christ knows who is the King. A servant of Christ is one who has voluntarily set aside his or her personal rights in order to love, serve, and obey the will of God in Christ Jesus. Servants of Christ die daily to sin and fleshly desires, allowing Christ’s life to flow through them (Galatians 2:20). To be a servant of Christ is to seek His will in all things. Our primary desire every day, as servants of Christ, is to honor and glorify the One who bought our freedom from sin (1 Corinthians 10:31). This means we must die to ourselves (Luke 9:23), renounce our right to direct our own lives (Luke 6:46), and seek ways to bring our Master pleasure (Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 11:20). Just as a master in ancient times took on the responsibility of caring for his bondservants, so our Lord says that He will provide all we need when we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19). Our Master, Jesus, has given us instructions in His Word and expects those who profess His name to know them. As we learn more, we do better. Servants of Christ put into practice all they learn about pleasing their Lord. While He has specific jobs for each of us according to the gifts and opportunities He provides, some requirements are universal for anyone called to be a servant of Christ:

All Born Slaves

Romans 6:19 NKJV

19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

Galatians 5:19 (NKJV)

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

Servants of Jesus

What is the difference between Slave and Servant?

• Many servants lived a life similar to that of slaves, but they were hopeful of freedom after the end of their contract.

• Obedience is the essence of slavery whereas service is the essence of servitude.

• Anyone offering his services is a servant whereas anyone offering obedience is a slave.

• A servant is free to work for the chosen master, whereas a slave is forced to work against his will.

Before the civil war broke out in America, it was common for people who were rich and for those who belonged to the upper classes of the society to keep slaves and servants. The terms were used almost interchangeably, and this class of people could be bought or sold like personal property. A man could inherit slaves like his other ancestral property. However, despite similarities in servants and slaves, there were also differences that will be highlighted in this article.

Servant

The word servant in this article refers to domestic servants and the indentured servants that were very common in American colonies in the early years. Poor people in African countries were provided free travel to the American colonies, and they had to work for 4-7 years for the masters who bought them before they could get freedom. Such servants had to work hard for their masters for the duration of their contracts but were eventually free. This class of people consisted of the poor, the homeless, kidnapped, and orphaned children. They agreed to work for the master they were sold to for the duration of their contract and agreed to food, clothing, and shelter in return. They could be sold by their masters to another person. They received poor housing and food and many perished during servitude as they were given harsh penalties on transgression.

is that servant is one who is hired to perform regular household or other duties, and receives compensation as opposed to a slave while bondservant is an indentured servant.Indentured Servants

Leviticus 25:39 And if thy brother be waxed poor with thee, and sell himself unto thee; thou shalt not make him to serve as a bond-servant.

... 1 Corinthians 7:22 For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's ...

1401. doulos -- a slave ... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a slave NASB Word Usage bond-servant (11), bond-servants (12), bondslave (3), bondslaves (8), both men and women ...

Strong's Hebrew 5650. ebed -- slave, servant ... bondage, bondman, bondservant, manservant. From abad; a servant -- X bondage, bondman, (bond-)servant, (man-)servant. see HEBREW abad. << 5649, 5650. ebed. 5651 ... /hebrew/5650.htm - 6k

Bond Servants

A bondservant is a slave. In some Bibles the word bondservant is the translation of the Greek word doulos, which means “one who is subservient to, and entirely at the disposal of, his master; a slave.” Other translations use the word slave or servant. In Roman times, the term bondservant or slave could refer to someone who voluntarily served others. But it usually referred to one who was held in a permanent position of servitude. Under Roman law, a bondservant was considered the owner’s personal property. Slaves essentially had no rights and could even be killed with impunity by their owners. The Hebrew word for “bondservant,” ‘ebed, had a similar connotation. However, the Mosaic Law allowed an indentured servant to become a bondservant voluntarily: “If the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life” (Exodus 21:5-6). Many prominent men of the Old Testament were referred to as servants. God spoke of Abraham as His servant (Genesis 26:24; Numbers 12:7). Joshua is called the servant of the Lord (Joshua 24:29), as are David (2 Samuel 7:5) and Isaiah (Isaiah 20:3). Even the Messiah is called God’s Servant (Isaiah 53:11). In all of these instances, the term servant carries the idea of humble nobility. Being God’s servant is an honorable position. During the time of Jesus and the first-century church, as much as one third of the Roman population were slaves, and another third had been slaves earlier in life. It was common for freeborn men and women to work side-by-side with slaves as street sweepers, dockworkers, doctors, teachers, and business managers. Convicted criminals became bondservants of the state and usually died working in the mines or on galleys. Historical records reveal that it was not unusual for Jews to own slaves during the New Testament period. Because slavery was a familiar part of the culture, Jesus sometimes referred to slaves and owners in His parables (e.g., Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 12:41-48). Also, Jesus taught that the greatest in God’s kingdom would have to become “the servant of all” (Mark 9:35). Such a concept was unthinkable to a Roman citizen, who prided himself in his freedom and would never identify himself as a bondservant. But Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), and the selfish values of earth are of no consequence in heaven. Throughout the New Testament, the word bondservant, slave, or servant is applied metaphorically to someone absolutely devoted to Jesus. Paul, Timothy, James, Peter, and Jude all describe themselves as “bondservants of Christ” (Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1:1, NKJV). Believers today should still consider themselves bondservants or slaves of Christ (1 Corinthians 7:22; Ephesians 6:6; 2 Timothy 2:24). He is our Lord, and our allegiance is due to Him alone. As bondservants, we renounce other masters (Matthew 6:24) and give ourselves totally to Him (Matthew 16:24). Being a bondservant of Christ is not drudgery. His “burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Also, we have this promise: “Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life” (Romans 6:22).

Slave

A slave is an individual who has been forced to work against his will. He is treated like a personal property of his master or owner and he could be bought and sold like any other item. The institution of slavery is very old, and it was rampant in America with blacks being treated as slaves till the outbreak of civil war. A slave had to work for his master, and he did not even receive any financial compensation for his labor. He had no rights and was never free. In fact, a son inherited the slaves of his father when his father died.

Slavery has been abolished in most parts of the world, but it continues unabated in many other different forms such as indentured servitude, domestic servants, debt bondage, and even in child marriage. There are millions of slaves still living a miserable life. Most of these are confined to South Asia where they serve as debt slaves. This happens when an individual takes a loan from a lender that he is not able to repay and even does not repay the interest part (interest in such loans is enormous). The result is that the amount to be repaid continues to grow, and the borrower has to accept bondage in lieu of the money he borrowed. In many cases, the borrower dies and his children continue to work as bonded labor to repay the loan taken by their father. This can continue for many generations. Human trafficking is another example of slavery in present day societies. Child labor is another instance where little children are forced to work like slaves in many industries, in poor countries, in different continents.

During colonial times, slaves were brought from the colonies into the country to work for their masters without pay in the hope to achieve freedom after 4-7 years. They were treated badly and had to work hard for long hours for their masters. Most of the slaves were captured in Africa and sold to whites who owned them as their property for lives. They did not understand English language and were often born into slavery.

Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God,

Galatians 1:10 For is it man's favour or God's that I aspire to? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were still a man-pleaser, I should not be Christ's bondservant.

Philippians 2:7 Nay, He stripped Himself of His glory, and took on Him the nature of a bondservant by becoming a man like other men.

Colossians 4:7 All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.

2 Timothy 2:24 and a bondservant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be inoffensive towards all men, a skilful teacher, and patient under wrongs

Titus 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an Apostle of Jesus Christ for building up the faith of God's own people and spreading a full knowledge of the truths of religion,

James 1:1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: to the twelve tribes who are scattered over the world. All good wishes.

2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and Apostle of Jesus Christ: To those to whom there has been allotted the same precious faith as that which is ours through the righteousness of our God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ

Jude 1:1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James: To those who are in God the Father, enfolded in His love, and kept for Jesus Christ, and called.

... be your servant. (See NAS). Matthew 20:27 Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant,

... 1 Corinthians 7:22 For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lord's free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Christ's bondservant. ...

A Bondservant of Jesus

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me… —Galatians 2:20

These words mean the breaking and collapse of my independence brought about by my own hands, and the surrendering of my life to the supremacy of the Lord Jesus. No one can do this for me, I must do it myself. God may bring me up to this point three hundred and sixty-five times a year, but He cannot push me through it. It means breaking the hard outer layer of my individual independence from God, and the liberating of myself and my nature into oneness with Him; not following my own ideas, but choosing absolute loyalty to Jesus. Once I am at that point, there is no possibility of misunderstanding. Very few of us know anything about loyalty to Christ or understand what He meant when He said, “…for My sake” (Matthew 5:11). That is what makes a strong saint.

Has that breaking of my independence come? All the rest is religious fraud. The one point to decide is— will I give up? Will I surrender to Jesus Christ, placing no conditions whatsoever as to how the brokenness will come? I must be broken from my own understanding of myself. When I reach that point, immediately the reality of the supernatural identification with Jesus Christ takes place. And the witness of the Spirit of God is unmistakable— “I have been crucified with Christ….”

The passion of Christianity comes from deliberately signing away my own rights and becoming a bondservant of Jesus Christ. Until I do that, I will not begin to be a saint.

Born into Family

1 Peter 2:16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

• Continue in faith. • Destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God. • Take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). • Pursue holy living (1 Peter 1:14–16). • Daily crucify the lusts of the flesh (Romans 6:1–6). • Love brothers and sisters in the faith (1 John 3:14–15). • Store up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19–20). • Eagerly await the Master’s return (Revelation 22:20; 2 Timothy 4:8).

.. 11). (5.) In the sabbatical and jubilee years the bond-servant was to go free (Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Leviticus 25:39-42, 47-54).