In Christ | Servant Now, King Later
Pick a place anywhere where people live and pick any time period you’d like and what you’ll find consistently without fail is power struggles in play. We see those in power leveraging their position to retain or multiply their own comforts, to satisfy their indulgences, to impose their preferences over others’, and to extend their helping hand mainly to those like them to keep intact a hierarchy that has their “kind” at the top.
The fighting for power could be over resources--see the oil wars in the Middle East, over skin color--see the history of black slavery in America or white slavery of the Ottoman empire or human trafficking of women around the world, over territory--see Indian tribal wars pre-arrival of Christopher Columbus. What’s most tragic is when you see those who say they follow Jesus pursue earthly power at the expense of others.
Take for example the colonization of Africa by the British. In an attempt to “win” Africa to Christ, the word of God was shared but heavily censored. This was called the Slave Bible. Passages of Scripture that might lead one to rebel against the system of slavery were removed.
Take another example like Manifest Destiny. Americans believed expanding into the West was ordained by God for Europeans to fulfill their divine endowed purpose. But in doing so, this led to the removal of Native Americans, and thousands to their death.
The point is clear. You can zoom out and evaluate nations or zoom in and evaluate regions, or zoom in further still so you have in view tribes, villages, or neighborhoods--and what you’ll find is always the same. You will quickly see “kinds” jousting for power.
But this is not what you find in Jesus. In Jesus’ day, there were two oppressive systems at work. One was the state government, the Roman Empire. The other was the religious system of the Jews. Here, the religious leaders loved control and influence, and they forced upon their followers burdensome obligations not in line with God’s Word. Jesus disrupted both systems, but not by fighting, violence, or domination. Not by all the ways we’re used to seeing systems of the world disrupted.
Jesus did this by laying down his life for others in love. Unlike the world that is obsessed with moving up the ladder and gaining power, Jesus moved down the ladder and did not use his divinity to his own advantage. He did not seek to self-elevate, but instead, sought to serve. Jesus pioneered a path that ultimately freed many from the heavy yoke of religion and began to change the society of the Roman world. If we are to see our society changed and those under the oppression of religion, we too must take this route.
Jesus’ route is found in Philippians 2:1-11. It’s a condescending one: from the eternal Word in the heavens to being born in the likeness of men. But more so, he lived as a servant. And even lower still, he was seen and treated as a criminal crucified on the cross.
Would the world choose this path? I don’t think so. But you see, Jesus did not need to seek worldly status or fame or influence while he walked on earth. He knew he was the Sovereign King of the Universe. He was up front about this with the Pharisees declaring “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:59). He was forthcoming about this with Pontius Pilate (John 18:36). Knowing his kingship in the heavens made for an easy “no” when the crowds sought to enthrone him or when Satan tempted him with all the kingdoms of the world. Instead of seeking worldly power for control over men, he came to exert his heavenly power to triumph over the principalities and powers that enslaved men. In other words, he came to bring freedom and deliverance. He laid down his life in love.
If we are going to be “salt and light” in our world, we must follow the same path of Jesus. One reason why the church’s light at times is so dim and the saltiness of our witness has lost its flavor is because, like the culture, we too get fixated on the “here and now.” We don’t seek out the “servant” road. We seek out the “boss” road. We choose the path that will bring us affluence, esteem, and honor in the eyes of men. Meanwhile, Jesus chose the path of shame and degradation that ultimately pleased the eyes of his Father.
What shall we do?
Knowing what awaited the other side of the cross, Jesus endured the plan of salvation created before the foundation of the world:
“For the joy set before [Jesus] he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2)“
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phiippians 2:9-11)
Likewise, we must know our position in Christ and what awaits us.
Paul wonderfully tells us in Romans 8:17, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Paul gloriously tells us in Ephesians 5:6, “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”
Our position is this: we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places now. And the fullness of this reality will be experienced in the coming ages. We will be in the presence of Jesus ruling with him forever as co-heirs.
Why then do I need to prove myself? Why then do I need to seek worldly power? Why am I so focused on the here and now? Why am I so worried about how others see me? Why do I care about what I have and own in this life? The more I know my position in Christ as someone who will reign with him for all eternity, the more I can follow the steps he took on the lowly road as a servant while on earth. Because of the kingly position I hold in the heavens, I am freed to live for others as a servant. If we choose this self-denying, world-forsaking, Christ-honoring, exaltation-promising path, our lives will stand out and our witness will be strong as we pour out our lives in love, even at great cost to ourselves, sometimes to our death. By this path, we will truly be salt and light.