Interestingly, the word that Jesus uses in reference to the kings of the Gentiles -- the word benefactor -- gave me pause to think. As far as I can tell, in Jesus' day, a benefactor referred to the titles and honour given to those in positions of power. For example, the title of "Your Majesty" when addressing earthly royalty.
However, when I look up this same word benefactor in modern day dictionaries, the word benefactor has taken on a new connotation. In fact, being a benefactor today refers to "those who give" to a cause, whether it be monetary or in the form of a gift. [*A benefactor, according to the Mirriam-Webster dictionary is "one that confers a benefit; especially one that makes a gift or bequest."]
Either way, and for purposes of clarity, I draw on Jesus' instructions in the scriptural example from Luke 22.
Herein, the disciples are making ready for the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover. Jesus sitting with the twelve says unto them, "With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God." Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks and breaks, giving unto the disciples, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of Me." Likewise, also the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you. But, behold, the hand of him that betrays Me is with Me on the table. And truly the Son of man goes, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom He is betrayed!" (Luke 22:8-22)
This dialogue leads to the disciples asking one another -- which of them should do this thing. As a consequence, note that the scriptures state there came about a strife [rivalry] among them, [as to] which of them should be accounted [considered] the greatest. (Luke 22:23-24) Given the circumstance, and the fact that Jesus knew what was yet come, this emerging dialogue from His disciples must have been draining. Nevertheless, Jesus continues His teaching, saying:
This dialogue leads to the disciples asking one another -- which of them should do this thing. As a consequence, note that the scriptures state there came about a strife [rivalry] among them, [as to] which of them should be accounted [considered] the greatest. (Luke 22:23-24) Given the circumstance, and the fact that Jesus knew what was yet come, this emerging dialogue from His disciples must have been draining. Nevertheless, Jesus continues His teaching, saying:
"The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. BUT YE SHALL NOT BE SO; but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sits at meat? but I am among you as He that serves. Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations. and I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father hath appointed unto Me; that ye may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Luke 22:23-32)
Jesus calls to them and saith, "Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them, but so shall it not be among you, but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister, and whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be the servant of all. For ever the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life for many." (Mark 10:35-45)
Here was Jesus the Christ about to go to the cross for our transgressions listening to some level of discord among the disciples. Just before this, when the disciples had again disputed among themselves (as to who should be the greatest), Jesus told them, "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all." (Mark 9:30-35) And in another place, this is the very same message Jesus said to His disciples when He set a child by Him saying, "Whosoever shall receive this child in My Name receives Me; and whosoever shall receive Me receives Him that sent Me: for He that is least among you all, the same shall be great." (Luke 9:48)
"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and whoso shall receive one such little child in My Name receives Me." (Matthew 18:4-5)
Beginning from the time when Jesus preached the "be-attitudes" there was an underlying theme that believers in Jesus by faith are not to be like the hypocrites in the synagogues or the streets who seek the glory of men. As Jesus said, "They have their reward. But when thou does alms, let not thy left hand know what thine right hand does, that thine alms may be in secret; and thy Father which sees in secret Himself shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:1-18)
Therefore, as Jesus prayed specifically for Simon Peter, we also are to ensure that our faith fail not, that when we are converted, we can strengthen our brethren. (Luke 22:31-32) How? Certainly not by lording over them. Or expecting titles and recognition from men. Or, expecting benefactors to come to the rescue to support "our" earthly cause?
But rather, being a benefactor or flow-through for the Lord so that others see Him in us. As apostle Paul writes when it comes to teaching and preaching the good news gospel of Jesus Christ, "Verily, that when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel." (I Corinthians 9:18)
"If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless, we have not used this power; but suffer all things lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ ..." (I Corinthians 9:12)
"Not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they shall be saved." (I Corinthians 10:33)
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ to the strangers scattered through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia writes to the elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ -- that the elders which are among you ... feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock [that] when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away." (I Peter 5:1-4; I Timothy 3:1-13)
The true servant of the Lord not striving to be seen/perceived as one of the greatest, but rather being gentle unto all, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (II Timothy 2:24-26)
The apostles according to the scriptures should be our ensample (for many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame -- who mind earthly things). (Philippians 3:18-21)
But our conversation as believers should be in heaven -- from whence also we look for the Saviour -- the Lord Jesus Christ. The King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8. 11)
Still, if the examples within the modern day religious culture leads us to believe that this "servant" mode for our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ is not possible, please look at Paul's admiration of Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that ye receive her in the Lord, as becomes saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you; for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also." (Romans 16:1-2)
God's ensample to the flock - stepping up to the high calling that the Lord purposed in your heart whilst ye were still in your mother's womb -- both willingly and with a ready mind/heart.
Like Priscilla and Aquilla (helpers in Christ Jesus), Mary (who bestowed much labour on us), Andronicus and Junia, kinsmen and fellow prisoners (who are of note among the apostles who also were in Christ before Paul), Ampilas, Urbane, Stachys, Apelles, Aristobulus' household, Herodion, the household of Narcissus, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Peris, Rufus and his mother, Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, and the brethren with them, Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, Olympas and all the saints which are with them, Timotheus, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus who all knew in their hearts -- as did apostle Paul, and the other eleven too -- who decided because of their faith and testimony in the Lord Jesus to become succourers and God's ensamples to His flock so that others could also obtain like precious faith through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. (Romans 16:1-27; II Peter 1:1-2)
"Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of the faith; to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever, Amen!" (Romans 16:1-24)
Stand in the offering plate.
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