THE SERVANT OF YAHWEH

“When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all those who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. The whole town was assembled at the door, and He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him.” (Mark 1:32-34 HCSB)

Four different Gospel writers give us four complementary views of Jesus. In Matthew, Jesus is the Son of David, stressing His royalty. In Luke, He is the Son of Man, stressing His humanity. In John, He is the Son of God, stressing His Deity. In Mark, Jesus is the Servant of Yahweh, stressing His activity.

Mark uses the Greek word “euthus” forty times in his Gospel account. For example, in today’s Scripture reading, we find it in verse twenty-one, “Then they went into Capernaum, and right away He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.” The Holman translators render it, “right away” and it suggests immediate action. Mark’s Spirit-inspired purpose is to display what Jesus did more than discuss what He said.

Our Lord sets the standard for all who will serve God. These are valuable lessons we need to apply in order that our service would be effective.

Consider first THE SERVANT’S AUTHORITY.

“Then they went into Capernaum, and right away He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. They were astonished at His teaching because, unlike the scribes, He was teaching them as one having authority. Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, ‘What do You have to do with us, Jesus-Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!’ But Jesus rebuked him and said, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit convulsed him, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so they began to argue with one another, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’ His fame then spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.” (Mark 1:21-28)

If we are to serve God effectively, it is because we do so in reliance on Divine authority. Jesus was God in the flesh and we are not God. But, He lived as a man among men to show us the way God intends for men to live. He did nothing of His own will or in His own resources. That is the model we must follow.

Note THE SOURCE OF AUTHORITY IN HIS WORDS.

“Then they went into Capernaum, and right away He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. They were astonished at His teaching because, unlike the scribes, He was teaching them as one having authority.” (v.21-22)

The scribes derived their authority, such as it was, from other learned men. They studied and quoted from noted rabbis. Because of this they placed layers of their traditions on top of the text—all but obscuring the truth—and when that is done, authority must yield to subjectivity. One rabbi’s opinion would contradict another—who to believe? Jesus just spoke the truth—He was Truth Incarnate!

So long as we stand on the Word of God, we are on solid ground for service. We can teach with authority.

Then there is THE FORCE OF AUTHORITY IN HIS WORKS.

“Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, “What do You have to do with us, Jesus—Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!’ But Jesus rebuked him and said, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit convulsed him, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so they began to argue with one another, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’ His fame then spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.” (v.23-28)

His authority was declared because it was demonstrated. Not even the demons of hell could withstand Him. The foul spirits that would terrorize men had to shriek and flee away in fear themselves before His command. That was the authority of Christ shown repeatedly.

You might as well be prepared—if you exercise authority, it will involve spiritual warfare. You have invaded enemy territory—and yet, in God’s strength, we have assurance of victory.

Another vital lesson is in THE SERVANT’S ACTIVITY.

“As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew's house with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all those who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. The whole town was assembled at the door, and He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him.” (Mark 1:29-340

Talk is cheap. Jesus did more than make a claim, He backed it up! So, we say we are servants of the Living God. Is there evidence of that? Do our works attest to our words?

THE ACTIVITY WAS MOTIVATED BY COMPASSION.

“As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew's house with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.” (v.29-31)

How tender was the heart of the Savior toward those about Him! Here is the mother-in-law of one of His disciples and He devotes His attention to her. When He heard the report of her fever, Jesus felt compelled to take action. That is what servants do! They don’t just have a title, they have a task—and they complete it.

Another interesting matter is that once she was healed, her response was to serve others. Love begets love. We are saved to serve. Those who have been delivered by the Lord now are called to active duty. Grace inspires gratitude.

THE ACTIVITY WAS MANIFESTED WITH CONSISTENCY.

“When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all those who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. The whole town was assembled at the door, and He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him.” (v.32-34)

Some are off and on, hot and cold, up and down. I know that I can be. But, not Jesus; He was a model of consistency. He was the same—wherever He was, whoever He was near, whatever the need—He was faithful in His service.

That is a great goal for us. While we may not attain it perfectly, we can get closer progressively, if we will aim at it persistently.

A final observation concerns THE SERVANT’S AVAILABILTY.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there. Simon and his companions went searching for Him. They found Him and said, ‘Everyone's looking for You!’ And He said to them, ‘Let's go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.’ So He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.” (Mark 1:35-39)

The sun may set, but the servant doesn’t sit (see v.32-24). Jesus continues to minister to the needs of others. The sun rises, but the Son has already risen. He had three and one-half years of ministry and He wrung from it every ounce of that opportunity. If a soul cried out, His ear was alert—even in darkness of night. He doesn’t hit the snooze alarm the next morning, despite the late evening of labor the night before. Servants are available 24/7.

THE SERVANT IS AVAILABLE TO GOD.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there.” (v.35)

His first ministry was the ministry of intercession. His first duty was to report for duty to get His orders. The Model Man knew that there was much to be done after He prayed, but nothing could be done until He prayed.

If that was true of Jesus, how much more do we need this morning meeting! It seems contradictory, yet it is one of the paradoxes of Scripture—the busier you are, the more you need to pray; the greater the demands of men, the longer you must wait before the Lord. Our fruit of service is dependent on putting down roots in supplication. We can branch out in busyness, but will topple over in toil at some point, unless we continue to send our roots deeper and deeper into the solid ground of a life in the Spirit. That happens as we pray. If you are too busy to pray, you are too busy.

Interruptions will come. As the day dawns, voices will begin to call out. The demands of duty will become insistent. It happened to Jesus (v.36-37). But, if we rise early and give God that time in the stillness of the morning, we will discover the secret of strength in our service, by the time everyone else’s alarm clocks begin to go off! Set yours as early as you must to make yourself available to God before you become accessible to man.

THE SERVANT IS AVAILABLE FOR GOD.

“Simon and his companions went searching for Him. They found Him and said, ‘Everyone's looking for You!’ And He said to them, ‘Let's go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.’ So He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.” (v.36-39)

Being spiritual is not a life of passivity, however—it is one of availability. We must get on our knees and bow before God, but then there comes a point to get on your feet and go for God. Loving God is the first commandment—and that love relationship is cultivated in time spent with the Father. But, the second commandment is connected to the first: love your neighbor as yourself. That love is expressed in practical ways—lifting the fallen, helping the hurting, mending the broken, freeing the captive, and such as the needs may be. Needs are everywhere, and everywhere you go you represent God. We are His hands extended to the world. There is no room for laziness in the Lord’s service.

As we look at this standard set by the Model Servant, we may feel wholly inadequate, and we are—save for this—He lives in us! So, it isn’t so much my own effort in attempting to imitate Christ’s method, but the Spirit’s energy as He indwells me and lives out His ministry through me! Let Jesus be Jesus in you today!