September 2023
Nougat 25
One of the most ‘hot-button’ topics for some believers in Christ is the concept of servitude. Unfortunately, some of us have experienced servant hood as abusive and toxic to the one who is under authority. Yet today’s Holy Nougat
““A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them.” Matthew 24:45 NLT
Faithful stewardship
Servants and servitude are common concepts in biblical literature. From as early as Genesis 1, we experience God’s instructions caretaking and service. For, after creating humanity in God’s likeness, God delays pronouncing the standard blessing, but gives instructions to God’s ’mini-me’ – all of us. Hence, verses 26-28 confirm humanity’s task as co-Creator and steward over earth.
The challenge is that we have often seen God’s directive as permission to control and perhaps manipulate; whereas our nougat today seems more concerned with ensuring that we are responsible in caring for the people and tasks assigned us. Hence Ezekiel 34 is very clear on the consequences of misleading or abusing God’s people. We are to be like the Good Shepherd, according to John’s report, to whom the sheep listen, knowing that the Good Shepherd would rather die than allow harm to befall the sheep.
Isn’t it interesting that part of what qualifies our reunion with Jesus is our willingness to shepherd others. For that’s effectively the goal of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Faithfulness is not only about our adherence to the Law, but also how we share God’s love in Jesus Christ with others. Before Christmas returns, we are commissioned to bear witness in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the outermost parts of the earth.
The disciples would have perhaps remembered Jesus’ parable of the 99 sheep left in the fold as the shepherd sought that one sheep to complete the flock. As a responsible servant, the shepherd did not determine that the missing sheep was the master’s problem. He went searching – in the highway and byways – all to find and return the living formerly lost sheep back to the fold. That’s response-ability and account-ability that realizes accept-ability in God’s kingdom. Like Jesus, we ought to be able to say, “of those You placed in my care, I’ve lost none.”(John 17:12).
As we wait, can we check ‘our flock’. Is there any lost who’s been placed under our care? Do we still have time to search, or have they already left earth? What other tasks do we have from our boss?
May we not be found wanting when our Lord comes back.
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May all we seek be found in Christ