In the language of the New Testament, the word often used for servant is doulos. It means a bondservant—someone who willingly devotes themselves to another, putting their master’s interests ahead of their own. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word ebed carries a similar meaning. It refers to someone who serves out of loyalty and covenant relationship—not just obligation, but deep commitment.

Now, I know some of us might feel uncomfortable with the word servant. The world has often used it to degrade, to diminish, or to imply inferiority. But in the Kingdom of God, being a servant is not a sign of weakness—it is a mark of honor. It’s not about being walked over. It’s about walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

Jesus, our Savior—God in flesh—called Himself a servant. In Mark 10:45, He says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." Think about that for a moment. If the King of kings came to serve, who are we to do otherwise?

In Philippians 2:7, it says, "He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant." That nature included obedience, humility, and self-sacrifice. He laid down His comfort, His rights, His glory—for us.

So here’s a takeaway I pray will stay with you long after today: Servanthood is not weakness—it is Christlikeness.

If you’ve ever wondered what it means to live like Jesus, here’s where to start: ask yourself, How am I serving? Who am I serving? Am I doing it with joy? Or with grumbling?

Do you have a heart for service, or are you waiting to be served?

And here’s a question to ponder: Who are you when no one is watching?

What does servanthood look like in your daily life—at home, at work, in your church, and in your community?

●Let’s carry those questions with us as we move into the next section: the character of a faithful servant.