The Way of the Servant Is the Way of Love
Friday, July 11, 2025 | Matthew 24:45–51, 1 John 4:7–21, 2 Kings 5:15–27, Psalm 36
The Way of the Servant Is the Way of Love
Friday, July 11, 2025 | Matthew 24:45–51, 1 John 4:7–21, 2 Kings 5:15–27, Psalm 36
TL;DR: True service isn’t about position or power but love that flows from God. The way of the servant is not just action, it’s affection, justice, and humility. This week reveals what kind of people we become when we let God’s love flow through us, not around us.
The Hidden Pattern of Love
Not all servants serve with the same spirit. This week’s Scriptures peel back the layers of human motivation, revealing fear, control, greed, and self-righteousness. and place them beside a deeper invitation: to become vessels of divine love. When no one is watching, who are we? When power tempts us, what do we choose? When we’ve been healed or forgiven, do we exploit the moment or become a witness of grace?
Each passage offers a facet of the servant’s journey. And at the center of it all is love, not sentimentality, but the unshakable force that comes from God and reshapes everything it touches.
Context: Setting the Scene
Matthew 24:45–51
Historical: Part of Jesus’ apocalyptic teachings leading up to the Passion, this parable speaks into a time of political upheaval and spiritual corruption.
Literary: The passage is framed as a wisdom parable, contrasting two kinds of servants, those who remain faithful and those who abuse their position.
Theological: Jesus links readiness for his return with ethical faithfulness in the present. Servanthood is revealed not through doctrine but behavior.
1 John 4:7–21
Historical: Likely written in response to church division and fear-driven theology in the late first century.
Literary: A poetic, almost liturgical meditation on God’s nature as love and the centrality of loving one another.
Theological: This is not just about ethics, love is the core of Christian identity. To know God is to love; to fail to love is to deny God.
2 Kings 5:15–27
Historical: Set during a time of political fragility and frequent prophetic tension between Israel and surrounding nations.
Literary: The story contrasts the integrity of Elisha with the greed of Gehazi. Healing leads to worship, but opportunism leads to judgment.
Theological: Healing isn’t transactional. God’s mercy cannot be exploited. True servanthood resists personal gain and bears witness to God’s grace.
Psalm 36
Historical: Likely written during a time of reflection on God’s covenant faithfulness in contrast to human wickedness.
Literary: This psalm shifts from lament over injustice to a celebration of God’s steadfast love and sheltering presence.
Theological: God’s love is not limited to the righteous—it is broad, generous, and abundant like a river that never dries up.
The Thread That Holds
Faithfulness to love is the mark of a true servant.
This week shows us that what defines a servant isn’t status, proximity to power, or theological precision, it’s how they treat others when no one is watching. The heart of servant leadership in Jesus’ kingdom is love, not performance, fear, or control. Every act of care, every moment of restraint, every refusal to exploit others for gain is a reflection of God’s own faithful love.
Other Threads from the Readings
Integrity Over Influence: The faithful servant doesn’t exploit others when left in charge (Matthew 24).
Love Reveals God: Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them (1 John 4).
Greed Destroys Trust: Gehazi’s deception leads to his downfall (2 Kings 5).
Love Is God’s Shelter: In the shadow of God’s wings, we find refuge (Psalm 36).
Healing Demands Witness: Naaman tries to pay for healing—Elisha won’t let him (2 Kings 5).
Fear and Love Can’t Coexist: Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4).
Jesus-Centered Questions for the Week
When no one is watching, how do I treat those I serve?
What fears keep me from loving freely and courageously?
Where am I tempted to exploit God’s work for personal gain?
How can I become a living witness to God’s sheltering love?
What does it mean to lead with love in a world obsessed with control?
Excellent study Paul.