When we talk about servanthood, we talk about caring for everyone outside of ourselves. We talk about looking at the needs of others before our own. We focus on what God sees, and not on one’s self.

Being able to first seek out a brother’s needs is the very first step to becoming a servant leader. We need to understand what brotherly love is so that we can truly take care of God’s children, most especially those entrusted in our care.

One might ask, “who is my brother?” Your brother is your friend, family or even a stranger. Strangers are also your family (in Christ) whom you have not yet met. And as Christians, we follow Jesus as our best example.  As it is said in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” This is not just an assignment, a task, or a function expected of us. It is LOVE in its very essence. Selfless service, unconditional and joyful for all.

How do we express brotherly love?

Through the attitude of Service Love… Selflessness
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

We give of ourselves willingly so that we can share the life and salvation of Jesus.

Through the attitude of Humility… Humble Servanthood
Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. Mark 10:43-44

Rather than be served, we serve. Rather than give glory to our importance, we serve in humility. And rather than be first, we serve ourselves last.

Through the attitude of Practicality… Active Kindness
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17

We cannot just have a spiritual approach to love. We can’t pray and not do anything, for faith without works is dead. Be sincerely concerned for your brother by being concerned of his practical needs (ie. food, shelter, clothing, companionship).

Throug the attitude of Availability… Sincere Love
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

Even during one of the most stressful days of Jesus, when He found out that His cousin, John the Baptist, was beheaded, He continued to minister to the people. If we make ourselves available to serve others, this shows that we love our brothers not just by words but by actions… not just because we have to, but because we want to.

Jesus delights in hearing and seeing us serve one another. It is His will for us to be our brothers’ keepers.

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We invite all young adults to “Many Hands One Spirit,” our annual day of service, as we live out our call to act and to serve. On May 11, let us share our time and talent to serve the needs of our community. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.dsj.org/mh1s