The servant image of foot washing is universally powerful, notably used by Pope Francis as a sign of his servant humility. The servant is expected to take care of the needs of others, and the servant of God is supposed to take care of God's people. Yet we often encounter servants who are more self-interested than servant-interested, like some well-known celebrity pastors.
The prophet Ezekiel communicates God's disdain for the ruling elites (shepherds) and the wealthy (fat sheep) who are selfish exploiters, not servants with a eye on what God desires. In Ezekiel, God claims the shepherd role as God's own since there is such corruption and faithlessness.
Jesus minces few words in denouncing the leading lights in the Temple for their self-serving ways in Matthew. Of course, Matthew also has in view his own time - several generations after Jesus - of the servant values that should be upheld in the early church and its leadership.
Finally, is there warning for us here as well? If we're fat and happy, and become insulated from the needs of others who are neither fat nor happy, then we might be guilty of missing our servant calling, too.
Check out the full sermon below with the video, or the downloads of the Fairfielder and the sermon text below the video panel.
The prophet Ezekiel communicates God's disdain for the ruling elites (shepherds) and the wealthy (fat sheep) who are selfish exploiters, not servants with a eye on what God desires. In Ezekiel, God claims the shepherd role as God's own since there is such corruption and faithlessness.
Jesus minces few words in denouncing the leading lights in the Temple for their self-serving ways in Matthew. Of course, Matthew also has in view his own time - several generations after Jesus - of the servant values that should be upheld in the early church and its leadership.
Finally, is there warning for us here as well? If we're fat and happy, and become insulated from the needs of others who are neither fat nor happy, then we might be guilty of missing our servant calling, too.
Check out the full sermon below with the video, or the downloads of the Fairfielder and the sermon text below the video panel.
| 11-02-14-ff-answers.pdf |
| 11-02-14-the_servant_life.pdf |