What’s in a Name?
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
In prior weeks Theology 101 has directed our thoughts to truths that flow from some of the formal titles assigned to Jesus — Christ, Lord, Son of Man, Messiah, Son of God. We now continue with some of the functional titles by which the Bible speaks of Jesus, having begun last week with “Teacher.” This week we continue with another of these functional titles, that of “Servant.”
While Jesus did not use the noun “servant” to refer to Himself, He frequently used the verbs “serving” or “ministering.” For example, He declared His mission in Matthew 20:28 in these words: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.” In a similar way, in Luke 22:27, Jesus explained, “I am among you as the One who serves.”
Suffering Servant
The description of the incarnate Son of God as a Servant fits the prophetic promise of a coming Messiah, who was described in Isaiah 53 as a “Suffering Servant.” Bible students have long understood that the promised Suffering Servant pointed to Jesus. At the heart of His suffering was His sin-bearing. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (53:6). Through His humiliation and self-sacrifice the Servant revealed His glory as the Son of Man and Son of God. His suffering and sin-bearing meant that others might be blessed. Such is the essence of servanthood at its best in that others are blessed thereby.
While Jesus did not expressly call Himself a servant, others who spoke and wrote about Him did do so. The well-known passage in Philippians 2:5–12 declares that He “made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (v. 7). Likewise, early Christian preaching explicitly called Him “Servant,” as Peter did when speaking in the temple precincts: “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant, Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate” (Acts 3:13). Then Peter concludes with the declaration, “To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you” (v. 26).
Demonstrating servanthood
In the well-known scene of the Last Supper, Jesus demonstrated His servanthood by girding Himself with a towel, taking a basin of water and washing the disciples’ feet. At the conclusion of this act, He asked the disciples a question: “Do you know what I have done for you?”
He then elaborated, “You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:12–15). Rather than labeling Himself a servant, Jesus vividly demonstrated Himself as such.
We may rightfully rejoice that we are even now sons of God (1 John 3:2). We should be no less joyous to be His servants also. If God’s firstborn Son assumed the form and function of a servant, what greater stature can all other twice-born children of God hope to attain than to become like Him who was a perfect, God-pleasing servant? We remember that Jesus said, “He who is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matt. 23:11).
EDITOR’S NOTE — Jerry Batson is a retired Alabama Baptist pastor who also has served as associate dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University and professor of several schools of religion during his career.
Share with others: