Week #28 – I Am the Lord’s Servant

Luke 1:34-38 – "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

Much of Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel of Matthew emphasized servanthood.   He used many parables to distinguish the qualities of a good and faithful servant, and He used others to define those servants who were wicked and unfaithful.  God treasures a servant’s heart – BECAUSE THAT IS PART OF HIS VERY OWN NATURE!  The most powerful, only-wise God possesses a SERVANT’S HEART!  He regards the humble because that’s His nature!  God is humble!  There is no arrogance, rudeness, envy, boasting or pride in the heart of God.  Jesus demonstrated this humility to the world when He declared that He had not come to be served, but rather He came to serve and to give His life as a ransom (Matthew 20:28).  Such was the nature of Christ.  Do you think maybe this had something to do with God’s reason for choosing Mary?  She possessed a servant’s heart.

Mary’s response to Gabriel’s announcement differed from Zechariah’s.  Her question was not one of disbelief, but rather one that demonstrated she knew how babies were made!  To Gabriel, it was a fair question, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”  He answered her plainly, describing how this conception was going to take place.  The angel spoke of Elizabeth and her pregnancy in old age to further illustrate for Mary that God is very capable doing the impossible!  Mary needed nothing further.  She had a servant’s heart and thus was ready to be and do whatever her Lord desired of her. 

Jesus taught that no one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).  When He was tempted by the devil, He declared, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”  Mary, said, “I am the LORD’S servant.”  She plainly declared allegiance to the Master of her heart.  It is to those, like Mary, who love and trust the Lord enough to be His faithful willing servants, whom He then declares, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know His master’s business.  Instead, I have called you FRIENDS!”  The servants of the Lord are highly favored!  In fact, like Abraham (James 2:23), they will be called the “friends of God!”  These are the ones that the angels foretold would be the recipients of good will and upon whom God’s favor would rest.  Would you enjoy God’s favor?  Then take on the heart of a servant!

Thursday:                                                                                                         

• Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
• Join our 6:00pm Thursday night prayer team.         

Friday:             

• Be thankful that God has the heart of a servant.
• Pray for the Good News families of the week: Alberto & Kasandra Aneses (Alberto Jr.), Steve Babcock, Kathleen Bauman.

Saturday:       

• Praise God for His favor toward willing, humble and faithful servants!

Sunday:                                                                      

• Worship God and SERVE HIM ONLY!

 Monday:                                                                                              

• Pray that you may experience friendship with God as you serve Him willingly and faithfully.
• Attend “In Touch” Prayer meeting at GNCC at 10:30am or join in prayer at that time.

 Tuesday:       

• Praise God that His good will and favor rest upon those with servant’s hearts!

Wednesday:   

• Pray that you may be like Mary as you respond to God’s will for your life!  “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.”

Prayer Challenge: Everyone does not experience God’s favor, His peace and goodwill.  However, those who have a servant’s heart will certainly be among those who DO receive such blessing!  Ask God to give you a heart like Christ, who came, not to be served but rather, to serve!  Thank God for the scriptural models of those who were willing and faithful servants of the Lord!  Determine to make these men and women your personal heroes and patterns to follow after.