The Portrait of a Servant, Part I by Jeremy Shaffer

Matthew 5:1-12

Introduction:

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” We have all been asked this question as children.Many of the answers are occupations like: a policeman, fireman, movie star, singer, a doctor, or maybe a professional ball player. Let’s take this same question and ask it in a different manner.“What does Jesus want you to be when you grow up?” Jesus would give the same answer to all of us: “I want you to be different.” Can you ever recall anyone saying that when they grow up they want to be a servant? Unfortunately the world looks at the word “servant” in a completely different way than Christ does. Who would not want to be a servant of the King? Christ set the supreme example for us in Matthew 20:28 saying, “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.” (ESV)

Today’s lesson,The Portrait of a Servant is a primer on what Christ expects of a servant.In fact, Christ Himself, in the Beatitudes, gave eight character qualities that ought to be evident in the life of every true servant. Before analyzing the Beatitudes,we must first recognize that Jesus commands all servants to be different, and second, we will make some general observations about the Beatitudes that will help us to better understand them.


I. JESUS’ COMMAND FOR ALL SERVANTS: BE DIFFERENT!

A. The grand theme for the Sermon on the Mount is to be different!

B. Notice that pattern of the Sermon on the Mount. Christ states the religious practices of the day, and then He instructs his servants to be different.

1. Matthew 5:21-22, “you have heard...but I say to you…”

2. Matthew 5:27-28, “you have heard…but I say to you…”

3. Matthew 5:33-34, “Again, you have heard…but I say to you…”

4. Matthew 5:38-39, “You have heard…but I say to you…”

5. Matthew 5:43-44, “You have heard…but I say to you…”

C. In Matthew 6, Christ further explains how his servants (disciples) were to be different. They were to be different when…

1. They gave to the needy (6:2)

2. When they prayed (6:5)

3. When they fasted (6:16)

D. The key verse in the entire Sermon: Matthew 6:8, “Do not be like them...”

E. This lesson of being different plays on the last lesson entitled, Thinking Like a Servant Thinks. How are we to de different? By implementing the principle of Romans 12:2, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” If we are going to be different it must first start with a “mind remolding,” we must change our thinking.


II. 3 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE BEATITUDES:

A. These are 8 character traits that identify true servanthood.

1. We are not free to pick and choose which traits we like and then implement them into our servant mold; it’s not multiple choices.

2. It’s about balance.Having all of these character traits interwoven in our servant mold is what Christ wants from his servants.

B. These traits open the door to inner happiness.

1. These traits are considered more of an “attitude.”

2. Jesus offers fulfillment like nothing else on earth. Study how each begins with the word “blessed” (literally = “happy”).This is the only time that Christ used this word eight consecutive times. Do you think he was trying to emphasize something? Those who enter into these attitudes will find lasting happiness.

C. Attached to each character trait is a corresponding promise.

III. PORTRAIT OF A SERVANT

A servant is…

A. A servant is…poor in spirit (5:3)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”

1. We are not talking about poor in a financial sense or even according to the world’s standards.

2. This is an attitude of complete humility; seeing oneself as spiritually bankrupt, deserving nothing and turning to Almighty God in total trust.

3.Promise: the person with a servant’s heart is promised a place in Christ’s kingdom.

The first and foremost attitude that a servant needs to manifest is humility. If he does not have humility, then he will find it very difficult to follow the other attitudes.

B. A servant is…one who mourns (5:4)

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”

1. This word “mourn” is the strongest Greek term that Matthew used in this entire book. It is a heavy word that conveys the sorrow of a broken heart, the ache of the soul, and the anguished mind. This word also carried the idea of compassion, a sincere care for others.

2.If there was any person who was considered the model of compassion,it was Christ. Remember what (Paul?) said in Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

3. Promise: comfort will be theirs to claim. It’s interesting that nothing is said about how it will come, just that it will come. Maybe it will come back from the one they cared for? Its cause and effect – there can be little comfort where there has been no grief.


C. A servant is…gentle (5:5)

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

1. In our culture today, gentle or meek, is considered weakness. We think, “Blessed are the weak, for they will become a doormat!”

2. In actuality, this Greek term is very colorful in its language. Some examples from extra-biblical literature may prove helpful:

a. A wild stallion that has been tamed, brought under control, is described as being “gentle.”

b.Carefully chosen words to soothe strong emotions are referred to as “gentle words.”

c.Ointment that takes the fever and sting out of a wound is called “gentle.”

d.In one of Plato’s works, a child asks the physician to be tender as he treats him. The child uses the term “gentle.”

e. Those who are polite, who have tact and are courteous, and who treat others with dignity and respect are called, “gentle.”

3. Gentleness (or meekness) is best described as Christlikeness, since the same word was used to describe His own makeup. Matthew 11:28-29 says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take me yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

4. Promise: It can be taken in two ways: (1) it is understood that they will ultimately win out in this life or (2) they will be given the reward of ruling over vast territories in the kingdom (Millennium)

D. A servant…hungers and thirsts for righteousness (5:6)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

1.Spiritually speaking this attitude depicts a person who is engaged in a pursuit of God. An eager and relentless pursuit to walk with Him and to please Him with his/her life.

2. However, this attitude is not just a vertical relationship; there is a horizontal relationship as well. The servant “hungers and thirsts” for right on the earth. Most Christians shrug this attitude off by saying that things will only get worse on the earth, but a true servant presses on for righteousness. Some may call them a dreamer or an idealist, but nonetheless, they are true servants.

3. As with all these attitudes, and this one in particular, we need to remember that portrayal of these attitudes does not happen once in a lifetime. The true servant longs to be filled and refilled each day with a hunger and thirstfor righteousness.

4.Promise: It’s really very simple – they will be satisfied. This Greek term is used commonly to describe well-fed, hefty livestock. What more could be ask than to be well fed by Christ? So well fed that we are not just satisfied by his promises, but we can also “rest” in his promises (a spirit that conveys quiet contentment).