Words of A Servant

I Samuel 20.4

Mary to the servants at the wedding concerning Jesus, "Whatever He tells you to do, do it." John 2.5

Mark 10:42-45 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

It is beautiful to see the relationship with David and Jonathan. They exemplify the relationship Christ desires for His Church. This is the greatest thing in the world! When the church reflects the heart of Christ a spiritual fragrance comes out.

People may argue with our faith but when the church serves, when there is love among its members, when it goes into the world with a towel and basin, there is not much to criticize.

We have been talking about being a person after God's own heart in humility the past month. This morning we are looking at a closely related topic, servanthood, the words of Jonathan to David in the scripture reading this morning... "Whatever you want me to do, I'll do for you."


1. Jonathan and David were one is spirit.
1 Samuel 18:1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.

True servanthood is being one in Spirit with Jesus.
Taking His Yoke...
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

The yoke... He is with us in it! The picture of a team of oxen, plowing a field. Humble and gentle in heart. Working along side of Jesus! Being on His Team.
Breaking up fallow ground with Him. Accomplishing the planting of the seed of the gospel with Him.

Oneness with the Master is the pathway to joy in the life of the believer. There is where the true fellowship and the deepest communion takes place. And what a glorious communion it is!

The greatest intimacy with the Master comes from sitting at His feet and washing the feet of others.

John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

John 13:12-14, 16-17 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Following Jesus, imitating Him is washing feet, serving others... On our hands and knees.
Grandma Mancini.. scrubbing the whole bathroom floor then dying.
Nana... Praying for us just before she went to be with the LORD. Yesterday.
There is a blessing in working side by side with Jesus. His yoke is easy. It is pleasant.

The church in the United States has replaced servanthood with leadership. Our Master washed the feet of those He led. Following in the Kingdom of God is all about being a servant. It still amazes me how the much the world has influenced the church in these days.

Keep a towel in your hand and in your heart. That is Christlike Leadership.


2. Jonathan served David.

1 Samuel 20:42 Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.

Jonathan gave up his rights to the throne, his hope of ever ruling in Israel, his hope of any of his descendants being king and he submitted to God and to David. He recognized that God was changing the royal line. There is no regret, just a simple submission to the will of God.

He helped him to the position which would have been his. God was also changing generations to come with this shift. Jonathan cooperated with God's plan by helping David.

A heart for God will embrace His Plan, not argue or debate with it. Jonathan was one in spirit with David. He too was a man after God's own heart. He worked for David. How opposite of his father, Saul, who fought against it and God.

He had unselfish devotion.

Their friendship was rare and still is.
2 Samuel 1:26 I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me.Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.

Solomon David's son speaks of this: Proverbs 20:6 Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?

I Corinthians 16.13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.
15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it.

Their friendship was noble. It was deep. It was genuine. It was severely tested and came out stronger.

3. Jonathan surrendered to God's Will for himself.

Servanthood means surrender.
1 Samuel 18:1-4 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

1 Samuel 19:1-3 Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan had taken a great liking to David and warned him, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I’ll speak to him about you and will tell you.

Relinquishing our rights is most difficult but absolutely necessary to be a servant in God's kingdom. Your kingdom come. Your will be done is to be personalized to every believer' life.

Saul fought against God's will and the LORD Himself. Jonathan surrendered to it. Saul was a tormented soul. Jonathan was at peace.

Saul worked against David, sought to kill him. Jonathan loved David as himself and worked with him, saying he would not die but live.

Surrender comes in the life of the believer in various ways. It is seen in a number of facets. Surrender brings peace. It is shown in humility. It is demonstrated in servanthood.

Think with me this morning say to the LORD, "Speak LORD, Your Servant is listening. I will do whatever you ask." Surrender to His Will in your life. Don't contend with God. Give Him everything.