Servant

I recently saw a video of a clergyman riding on a float like platform sitting on a gilded throne like chair. He had three or four identically dressed young, beautiful females walking along on either side. He was followed by a long entourage. The congregation was beside themselves with joy, seemingly worshiping this man as he rode into the auditorium supposedly to minister to them. I began thinking about the contrast between this scene and the scene in the upper room on that last passover before the crucifixion.

John 13:1-16

 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Yeshua knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During the seder meal, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas from Kriot,  to betray him, Yeshua, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Yeshua answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Master, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

There is a lot to unpack in these few verses. But, I will let them speak for themselves. The contrast between what went on in the upper room and that auditorium could not be greater. 

Representatives of Yeshua

Matthew 23:1-12

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses’ seat. All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them, but all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments, and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men. But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Messiah, and all of you are brothers. Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Messiah. But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 

Yet, preachers enrich themselves and exault themselves with the worship of their followers.

How is it be that these men that claim to be the preachers of Yeshua’s teachings can themselves be such poor examples of everything he stood for? I looked up the net worth of some of the most famous clergy and I couldn’t believe how lucrative their ministries are. They have mansions worth millions, private jets, the most expensive automobiles made. They wear Italian silk suits and gold Rolex watches. They have all these things because the people in the pews give them their money. These preachers use the name of Jesus to prey on the people that believe in them. But, the preachers themselves are not the only ones at fault. They preach a prosperity gospel that promises wealth to anyone that will give them money. Unfortunately many Christians both desire wealth and are ignorant of the teachings of Yeshua and the example of his life. They listen to the lies these men tell and they simply do not take Yeshua’s words seriously. They prefer an easy gospel of just believe and prosper.

 Matthew 6:18-20

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Yet, we idolize the rich and degrade the dignity of the poor and those that serve us. Greed and ignorance are an ugly combination that makes us a corrupt people.

God and Caesar

At the founding of the United States George Washington became it’s first President. At the end of his term he stepped down despite pleas to the contrary. He was offered a kingship of the new nation but he refused. He saw his role as that of a servant. President Lincoln likewise saw his role as a servant and managed to keep the union intact through a devastating civil war. For that service he lost his life. There have been many other statesmen that served their country well over the years and many fine and humble preachers of the Gospel that have served God’s people. But, the same problems that plague the church plague the government, greed and ignorance. The greedy enrich themselves at the expense of the ignorant. The most upsetting trend I see is that politicians and these preachers have now joined forces. Yeshua said to “render that which is Caesar’s unto Caesar and that which is God’s unto God”. Until YHVH establishes his kingdom on earth it will be best to keep Church and state separate. Power corrupts and absolute power absolutely corrupts. Both institutions are in decay for the most part. Giving them the power of government and religion is a recipe for dictatorship.

The Answer

Calling ones self a servant is now seen as demeaning. Everyone wants to be the served and not the servant. That applies both in Church and in government. We are being deluded. The answer to this problem is to read YHVH’s instructions, to read Yeshua’s words and to examine how he conducted his life. The only way to be saved. Is to understand and obey.

Matthew 5:1-19

 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is fulfilled. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The poor are not your enemy.

The immigrant is not your enemy.

Seeking to be wealthy is not your goal.

Being admired or powerful or popular is not your goal.

Listen to the words of Yeshua, He did not come to be served, but to serve and so must we.