“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service.”  (1 Timothy 1:12)

           He showed us what servants do. Long before he ever became the Savior, Jesus was a servant.

            Prior to laying down his life, Jesus’ entire existence was one of serving the sick, the burdened, the poor. He washed feet and touched the diseased. Christ taught and healed, filling up hungry bellies and forgiving sinful hearts.

            Christ served without counting the cost; nothing was ever beneath him. As crowds pressed against him, waves buffeted, enemies accused and twisted his words, he never minimized serving those nearby, regardless if they deserved it or not.

            Yet his primary focus and highest service to all of humanity was precise and perfect. The apostle Paul stated it succinctly: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15). If that were not obvious enough, we read further “in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

            As his servants, his ultimate priority for us is to clearly and generously share portions of the gospel. Paul made this evident all through his first epistle to the Thessalonians. “We had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God…just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:2,4).

            If eloquent, prolific, respectable Paul shared the gospel with passionate zeal, it stands to reason we should follow his example. We, too, should pursue the opportunities Christ folds into our day to share the crux of the gospel. Since the Word plainly states that Christ “came into the world to save sinners,” as his servants we have no choice but to deliver his message to those he allows us to serve.

Prayer: “Dear Father, we long to share with others this incredibly good news that Christ came to save them and grant them freedom from the hold of sin. But far too often we are timid, neglecting this most important way of serving you. Please bring someone to us this very week with whom we can share your love. Grant us the boldness and the faith to look expectantly for those opportunities you will send our way. And would you open their eyes and awaken their hearts to your remarkable love. We ask you to soften their hearts so the words you give us to share will draw them to you. Thank you in advance for how you will answer this prayer that we lift to you in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Elizabeth Ann Mitchell

Photo Credit: Simon Berger