Ministry Is About Serving Others
Luke 7:1-3 1Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.
-The setting of our story provides us with a powerful ministry principle. Jesus has finished speaking and has entered Capernaum. This city had become the base for his ministry operation. He has just finished preaching and is probably ready for some respite. But as was the case with many of his miracles, Jesus finds himself inundated and interrupted with the needs of others. A man, a centurion, who had a servant that he cared deeply for was sick. Matter of fact, he was at the point of death. This centurion had heard about Jesus, about his healing anointing, and his many miracles. So he sends the elders of the Jews to petition Jesus to come and heal his servant.
-There are so many levels of service in this story. Look at it from this lens. It is a servant who is sick. It is a centurion, a servant of Caesar, that calls for Jesus. There are Jewish elders willing to come to his aid. This is no small feat seeing that Jewish people usually viewed Romans with animosity. These Jewish leaders are willing to plead on his behalf. Why would Jewish leadership care for a Roman occupier and oppressor? The key is found in our text.
Luke 7:4-5 4And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5“for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”
-He is worthy. Whet made him worthy? He had shown himself willing to serve and sacrifice. He had used his wealth to benefit and bless others. Serving softens hardened hearts. His service transformed their animosity to appreciation. There is no faster way to win the hearts of people then by serving them! They said, “master he is worthy.” Serving makes one deserving of honor, respect, and authority. I’ve said it before but let me say it again. When serving is beneath you then leadership is beyond you. Ministry starts with serving others. Leadership is about serving others. Paul points out how essential service is to effective ministry:
1Cor 9:19 19For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
-Ministry is about compassion and care. I can’t help but recognize the great degree of Love this centurion had for his servant. Luke 7:2 says, “he was dear to him.” There is an undeniable affection present here. Most might think this is strange. They might ask why would a man of authority, prestige, power, and wealth care deeply for a servant? But the answer is simple: there is nothing in this world more valuable than an individual with a heart to serve and do so faithfully. But the Centurion also brings us to another point that simply put is this: ministry comes down to caring for people. It is compassion for people that propels us to serve others. If one does not have a heart for people they do not have a heart suitable for ministry. One thing the Centurion and Jesus had in common was their heart to serve and their heart for those willing to serve.
tidingsfortoday 