In the Spirit and in Truth- Worship Through Service
Read Luke 4:5-8
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” Luke 4:8
Usually when we think of the word ‘service’ we associate it with the way people attend to our needs or requests. We do not typically think about how we can be the ones providing service to others over an extended period of time. Interestingly enough, this is precisely the lifestyle we’ve been called to follow regardless of our aspirations and pursuits.
The temptation of Jesus is recorded in 3 of the 4 books of the gospel. As Jesus is confronted by the enemy, He responds each time by quoting the scriptures. In one particular instance, He refutes the devil, referencing Deuteronomy 6:13: “Worship the Lord Your God and serve Him only”. With this response, Jesus does not even entertain the devil’s proposition. Rather, Jesus reiterates the exclusivity of worship, and implies that worship is indivisible from service. That is to say, with the worship we offer, we must continually dedicate ourselves to serving God’s people.
Throughout the life of Jesus, we see that He lived a life of service. In fact, He emphasized the importance of service to His disciples repeatedly (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, Luke 22:27) as His purpose for coming to the earth. For this reason, Jesus’s earthly ministry revolved around service and it is the reason why He spent so much time outdoors and around other people. As believers who live to worship Him, it is also our obligation to emulate this lifestyle of service. Since worship is our purpose, we must live out that purpose through meeting the needs of the people we have been called to.
Moreover, service is the ultimate expression of our worship. Jesus was concerned with the welfare of others over Himself because of His heart of service. Because a requirement of service is selflessness, those who serve will need to be sacrificial and committed. Jesus was always on the move to teach, guide, save, heal, deliver, provide and to SERVE. Essentially, Jesus was the solution to any problems or issues the people had. Giving Himself over to service in this way, was how He worshipped and glorified God the Father.
Your worship is your service.
Reflection
What are some of the ways you have given yourself over to service in the church? In your workplace? Or the community at large?
Prayer
Father God, thank You for Jesus Christ who worshipped You and serves You only. I pray Lord, that I may give myself over to service so that You may be glorified. Show me Holy Spirit, the different ways I can serve Your people with my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Written by Deborah Nimoh
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