Jesus Defines Servanthood

“Jesus defines servant hood”

Matthew 12:15-21

Transitional Sentence:

In the midst the beginning of the attack of Jesus by the religious leaders, Matthew gives to us some of the outstanding characteristics of the Servant Jesus.

But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed Him, and He healed them all, and warned them not to make Him known, in order that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, might be fulfilled, saying, (12:15-17)

[I] A true servant of God is concerned with relationships.

1. Notice the phrase “But Jesus aware of this…”

What was Jesus aware of? He was aware of their relationship with God and man. A true servant of God will be concerned with his relationship with others and with God.

2. Let me give some biblical evidences that Jesus takes relationships seriously.

a) The Ten Commandments:

As we look at the Ten Commandments, we see that the first 4 pertain to me and my relationship with God.

The latter 6 pertain to me and my relationship with my neighbor. Why is there more pertaining to me and my relationship with others? Perhaps God knew that is where our problem will be. Beloved, if I am a true servant of God I will be greatly concerned with my relationship with my neighbor, with my spouse, with my fellow brother or sister-in-Christ, with my co-worker. The message is if I have a problem with my neighbor, I have a problem in my relationship with God.

b) Notice Jesus’ response to the two greatest commandments?

(Mat 22:36-40 NKJV) "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" (37) Jesus said to him, " ’You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ (38) "This is the first and great commandment. (39) "And the second is like it: ’You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

(40) "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Can I share a truth with you? My relationship with God is only as good as my relationship with others. If I have problems loving others, it is the result of my relationship with God. If I am a true servant of God I will be concerned with relationships

[II] A true servant seeks to knows God’s will for His life?

1.Notice that Jesus withdrew from His opposition:

a) It was not because He was afraid.

Remember when Jesus was arrested in the garden?

(Mat 26:52-54 NKJV) But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. (53) "Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? (54) "How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?"

Jesus is not a wimp. I picture Jesus as a spiritual Rambo or a spiritual Clint Eastwood.

2.Jesus knew it was not God’s will for Him to be arrested yet. That is why He withdrew from the Pharisees. He knew God’s will for His life and He knew it was not time for Him to go to the cross.

Do you know God’s will for your life?

3.Can I share with you what I believe keeps so many from knowing and doing God’s will?

Sensuality and sin keeps many from doing God’s will. For example, Jesus when He was tempted in the wilderness, He could have surrendered to the devils offer of fame and popularity. Jesus could have used His divine powers to gain a following. But if He would have, He would have never went to the cross and pay the price for our sins. Also, His glory would have been short lived. He chose to deny His fleshly desires of popularity and go to the cross. In doing so He rejected the temporary for the eternal. Many today trade temporary pleasures for eternal rewards.

John MacAuthur:

The essence of Jesus’ life, His very food, was to do His Father’s will and “to accomplish His work” Jesus had the true heart of a servant, and He was submissive to His Father and wholly given to redeeming a lost world. He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” Phil. 2:6-8.

Notice the result of Jesus trading the temporary for the eternal:(v.15) “many followed Him, and He healed them all.”

The result of surrender is always changed lives.

A true servant is concerned with relationships and he desires to know God’s will. Thirdly;

[III] A true servant of God refuses self-glory:

(v.16) Yet He warned them not to make Him known…”

a) Jesus was avoiding popularity. He did not want folks to view Him as a Santa Savior. He did not want to be exalted to a military position.