A Title Of Honor Series

In the old days when people traveled in coaches the driver would

charge three fares. The first class, second class, and third class. All

passengers were placed in the same coach and those who paid the

first class fare would often complain that there was no difference,

and that they receive no better accommodations than those who paid

less. The driver would urge them to be patient and they would soon

see the difference. When the coach came to a steep hill the driver

stopped and announced, "All first class passengers keep your seats;

all second class passengers get out and walk; all third class

passengers get out and push."

In the journey through life all people still fall into these same

categories: The parasites, the passivites, and the pusherites. The

tendency of our age is to think that the ideal is to be a first class

parasite, but the Bible is clear from Genesis to Revelation that the

goal of the believer, and true success, is to be a third class pusherite.

Before the Disciples of Christ learned this they were eager to become

first class passengers. They debated among themselves as to who

was to be the greatest. James and John even asked Jesus outright

for seats at His right and left hand in glory. Jesus at that point laid

down a principle that made Christianity the most unique and

effective movement under the sun. He said, as He pointed out the

contrast of the world's values and His own, in Mark 10:42-45, "You

know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it

over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it

shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you

must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must

be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to

serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

Jesus refused to be a first class passenger and a privileged

parasite. He came to seek, to save, and to serve. The idea of service

was dominant in the Old Testament, and the great prophecies of the

coming Messiah portrayed Him as the suffering Servant. Israel was

chosen, not for privilege, but for service, and Jesus likewise called

His disciples, not to be privileged characters, but to be servants.

This is the greatest and highest title available to those in the

kingdom of God. That is why you will find the Apostles proud to

declare themselves to be servants of God. It was only a handful of

men who gained the distinction of being Apostles, but it is of interest

to note that when they listed their titles they put the title of servant

before that of Apostle.

Paul begins his Epistle to the Romans, "Paul, a servant of Jesus

Christ, called to be an Apostle." He begins Titus, "Paul, a servant of

God and an Apostle of Jesus Christ." James begins his letter,

"James a servant of God..." Jude begins, "Jude, the servant of

Jesus Christ." Peter begins his second letter, "Simon Peter, a

servant and Apostle of Jesus Christ." Servant was the title of honor,

the title that even the Apostles chose to put before their unique office

of Apostle. Jesus succeeded in teaching them that the way to true

greatness is the way of the servant.

This was no easy lesson to communicate. Peter was the most

stubborn student of all. You recall the night in the upper room

when Jesus washed the disciple's feet? It was customary for a host

to wash the dusty feet of guests before they ate, but apparently none

of the disciples were going to stoop to this humble task. They sat

down to eat with unwashed feet. Jesus, seeing that no one was going

to perform this service, rose and laid aside His garments, girded

Himself with a towel, poured water into a basin, and proceeded to

wash His disciples feet like a servant of the house. The others may

have been shocked and surprised, but Peter was offended. He said

to Jesus, "You shall never wash my feet." He was not going to be

party to such indignity. He considered Jesus to be his Lord and not

his servant. But when Jesus said, "If I do not wash you, you have no

part in me," Peter yielded. Jesus said that He did this as an

example of what they were to do and be. They were to be, above all

else, servants.

This concept was the key to their becoming the foundation on

which the church could be built. The very essence of the Christian

life is found in service. This is an idea that clashes, however, with