A biblical scholar once remarked: "One of the most common expressions in the Old Testament of the relationship between humankind and God is contained in the words ‘serve,’ ‘service,’ and ‘servant.’"

What comes to your mind when you hear the word, servant? A flunky? A gofer? A Victorian called "Jeeves"? Someone with no mind of his or her own? Unfortunately, too many people think in this way. The Bible redefined the concept of “servant.” In God’s kingdom, servanthood came to its ultimate expression in the person of Jesus Christ and His mission to the world.

Isaiah shows the true servant to be one who is under God’s orders and control, when he wrote, “My servant whom I uphold, my Chosen One, in whom my soul delights.” (Isaiah 42:1)

Clearly, the servant is not ever his own. The servant has a sense of direction, he has a purpose in life. The servant’s calling is to heal and repair whatever and whoever is hurting or broken. Here on Skid Row we see poverty, homelessness and hunger, and it is not enough to simply help someone physically, by feeding or clothing them. Social work must never become a substitute for Jesus.

God has not called us to merely help people, physically. Our primary calling is to share His love and salvation. Service without sharing God’s love is materialistic. By the same token, preaching the gospel without also helping to meet the physical needs of hurting, hungry people is to ignore the earthly life and ministry of Jesus.

When Jesus saw a pain, a sorrow, a loss, He reached out to touch, to lift, to help, to heal, to forgive, and to transform.

Oswald Chambers wrote: “If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain, but what He pours through us that really counts. Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us – and we cannot measure that at all.”

As followers of Jesus, our calling is to serve. Servanthood is love in action, and that is our constant goal here at Fred Jordan Mission on Skid Row, where we share Jesus, the Bread of life for the soul, and share good food for the body.

Will you please help share the gospel and feed hungry people? You may donate by phoning, 1-844-FJM-FOOD. Or you can donate online fjm.org.

Greatness is not found in a title, a salary, or a position of influence. True and eternal greatness can only be found in servanthood. Please join us here on Skid Row.

Blessings,

Willie Jordan (Mrs. Fred Jordan)