Lazy, bossy servants?

Reflecting on Mark 13:32-37

"If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping." (Mark 13:36)

This is really the point of this whole section of teaching.
‘Tough times are coming, but don’t forget your job while I’m gone’.
Jesus has left the house and put His servants in charge.
Not to do whatever they want, not to laze around doing nothing.

So what is our job as servants of Jesus?

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27)

Our job is to preach the good news of the kingdom to all nations (Mark 13:10).
To preach the good news means more than just telling people about it.
It is BOTH declaring and demonstrating the good news of God’s new world.
The kingdom of God is this world under God-like leadership.
Jesus rules in a God-like way from heaven.
We as His servants rule in a God-like way on earth.
The emphasis is on God-like, not just on ruling.

“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45)

We know how human-rulers rule, but do we understand how Jesus rules?
Jesus is God-like, showing us how God rules all creation.
As servants of the humble, gracious Jesus and God, we rule the same way.

Lazy servants do not do the hard work; they make others do it for them.
They are top down leaders, controlling others to follow their will.
They do not conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the example of Jesus.
Servant leadership is not about other-control, it is about self-control.
It is not about telling others what to do, but doing it yourself.
When Jesus talks about servants sleeping, they are not doing their job.
They are not being the servants He commissioned them to be.

Now, as always, our world needs Jesus-like servant leaders.
Not a church aligned with the government controlling peoples’ behaviours.
We do not make anyone or anything ‘great again’ by elevating ourselves.
Think about it, this us why there is chaos and crisis in world.
Wars, rumors of wars, nation rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom.
These are not the result of Jesus-like leadership.
I am not surprised that human-like leaders behave this way.
What is disheartening is that christians and churches are joining in.
Now, as always, our world needs Jesus-like servant leaders.

My focus is on the fruit of the Spirit, no matter what happens.
I do not need to agree with the person next to me.
I do not need to affirm their behaviours or beliefs, nor they mine.
I do not need to take control of the government, to make them do what I think.
I do not need to out-argue and defeat my opponents with my debating skills.
I do not need to organize and control the direction of my church group.
I have one debt to my neighbour, and that is to love them in a Jesus-like way.
To be at peace with them, to be patient with them, to be kind to them.
They may disregard me, ridicule me, or take advantage of me.
But this is what happened to Jesus, and this is how He overcame.
Our job as servants is the fruit of the Spirit, no matter what happens!

Jesus is working with those who are working with, like and for Him.
When He comes back, to them He will say:

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21)

But what about the servants not doing this?
Who are asleep on the job, not serving as Jesus commissioned them?

“So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:28-30)

Those who do not have love, mercy, compassion, kindness, will not get it either.
God will treat them as they treated others, and give them what they wanted.
A house without love, mercy, compassion, and kindness.
This is the warning of Jesus to all His servants, called to serve like Him.
“Do not let him find you sleeping.” (Mark 13:36)

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we have one job: to love and serve others as You loved and served others. In our messed up world of chaos and crisis, when governments and churches are clashing and dividing, inspire and equip Your followers to get out of bed, to get on their knees, and conduct themselves in a manner worthy of You!