SERVANT OF ALL
Recently I was considering the Lord’s teaching regarding those who “desire to be first” (Matt 20:25-28, Mark 9:33-35). The apostles disputed as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus dashes their expectations of greatness with the reality of God’s design. The one who desires to be first must “be last of all and servant of all”. This is one of many ironies demonstrating the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:20, 27; 3:18-20). It is human nature to crave attention, popularity, even greatness. There is no room for such ambition in the church (3 John 9, 10). Our desires must be set aside, and God’s will accepted. How then does one rise to “greatness” in the church?
It occurred to me that there is no better example of this process than one who comes to hold the office of an elder. The path to the eldership is one of humble service. The qualifications dictate this be so. A bishop must not be “self-willed” but “temperate”. He must also be a “lover of hospitality”. Nor may he be motivated by greed but must desire this “good work” (1 Tim 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9). Often those appointed as elder have spent a lifetime in God’s service. They have actively taken part serving at the Lord’s table, leading in prayers, perhaps also leading in song. They have taught classes, preached sermons and held home studies. They have encouraged the weak, visited the sick and defended the truth. Some serve first as deacons ministering to the physical needs of the congregation.
While it is true that elders rule (Heb 13:7, 17), they rule by example and not as dictators (1 Peter 5:3). Elders are described as Shepherds (Acts 20:28, 1 Pet 5:2). The “Great Shepherd” (Heb 13:20) “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matt 20:28). Likewise, the elders tend to the flock. In this lowly capacity the elder who rules well is considered by God to be “worthy of double honor” (1 Tim 5:17). Even in this esteemed role the elder is “servant of all”. Indeed the office of elder is not one of pomp and accolades but rather the work is filled with heartache and tears. Spiritual dangers abound (Acts 20:29) and Satan works tirelessly to steal the souls in the elder’s charge (1 Pet 5:8). The elder is servant to the weak, to the weary, to the discontent, to the disobedient, to the obstinate, to the opinionated, to the ones who murmur, and to the ones who sow discord. May we not add to their burden but rather “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Heb 13:17).