July 14, 2006

[Rev. Doc]

A Humble Servant

"Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, 'If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.'"
Mark 9:35

Ambrose was a great figure in Early Church history. He was the Roman governor of Liguria and Aemilia, a great scholar who ruled with such loving care that people were said to regard him as a father. The area's bishop died and discussion arose regarding a successor. In the midst of the discussion, the voice of a small child lifted above the noise of the crowd, "Ambrose-bishop! Ambrose-bishop!" The crowd took up the cry. Ambrose actually fled the city by night to avoid the high office being offered him by the Church.

It is said that when John Rough summoned John Knox to the ministry publicly, from the pulpit in St. Andrews, Knox was appalled. History of the Reformation reports that John Knox burst forth with abundant tears, and withdrew himself to his chamber. His countenance and behavior, from that day until the day he was compelled to present himself in the public place of preaching, did sufficiently declare the grief and trouble of his heart. No man saw in him any sign of mirth, nor yet had he pleasure to accompany any man, for many days together."'

These are merely examples of two great men who maintained a true sense of their own inadequacy for high office. Ambrose was willing to serve as governor but was humbled by even being considered for the office of bishop. John Knox was humiliated and therefore walked in humility. The fields of humility is the place where the flower of unity grows. We should beware if the Church today makes more room for self-promotion and position seeking than did these two great gentlemen who were humiliated even at the potential of being chosen to be a servant of the Lord. Where is the servant's mentality among us? It's time to take up our towels.

Prayer: Ask God to help you continually develop the humble heart of a servant.

"In Christian service the branches that bear the most fruit hang the lowest."
~Anonymous