Us and God: Understanding the Master-Servant Relationship

In the Bible, many parables are recorded about the relationship between master and servant, including in Matthew 24:45-51, Matthew 25:14-30, Colossians 4:1, and Luke 12:35-48. What is this relationship like, and what implied meanings in it are important for us to know?

We Are Unworthy Servants

"Which of you who has a servant plowing or tending sheep for him will say to that servant after he comes in from the field, 'Come at once and eat'? Will he not instead say to that servant, 'Prepare my meal. Tie up your robe and serve me until I finish eating and drinking. After that you may eat and drink.' Does he thank that servant because the servant has done what was assigned to him?

“So you also. When you have done everything assigned to you, you should say: We are unworthy servants; we have only done what we ought to do.”

– Luke 17:7-10

The duty of a servant is to serve his master. The master has no obligation to thank his servant for what he has done. And a servant eats only after his master has finished eating.

You may have done many things for God, serving  in church, guiding lost souls, giving tithes and offerings, going on mission team, leaving behind worldly comforts and pleasures. Then, all those things make you feel entitled to a good career, a life partner, bright finances and future, and every good thing.

Proudly, you feel that God is obliged to take your goodness and hard work into account by answering your prayers or granting your desires.

But do you realize that God owes us nothing? Through the parable above, Jesus wants us to know that we are only unworthy servants, doing what we are supposed to do for God.

A Servant Is Not Greater Than His Master 

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple to become like his teacher, and for a servant to become like his master. – Matthew 10:24-25a

In the previous reading, titled The persecution to come and confession of Jesus (Matthew 10:16-23), Jesus spoke to the twelve apostles about His future suffering. So if Jesus, who is our master, was persecuted, hated, and even killed, do not be surprised if you experience the same.

Your close relationship with God carries the risk of rejection. You may be hated because you want to act honestly and refuse to live in falsehood. Perhaps you are avoided or no longer acknowledged by your friends because you no longer smoke and drink with them. Or you are persecuted because of your deep conviction in God's word and your seriousness in repenting.

If this is what you are experiencing, do not be afraid—you are not alone. God has already warned us that our life as servants will not be far different from that of our master, Jesus Christ. Do not expect that by following God, everything will be fine or run smoothly.

On the other hand, this does not mean that by following God we will live in endless suffering.

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. – Psalm 126:5

In the end, those who suffer persecution because of the name of Jesus will receive victory and joy! So remain steadfast in your faith.

A Servant Cannot Serve Two Masters

A servant cannot serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be loyal to the one and disregard the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon.” – Luke 16:13

Everyone surely wants to be the one most loved by their own spouse. Of course, you would not accept it if your spouse shared that love with someone else. If that happens, there are only two possibilities: your spouse loves you more, or instead loves the other person more.

Likewise in the relationship between master and servant, a servant cannot serve two masters. One master wants this, the other wants something else. The servant will be confused about which one to prioritize. In other words, it is impossible for you to love God while still holding on to the old lifestyle you enjoy.

God and the world want different things. The world makes you happy, forgetful of yourself, and lets you drink in as much of life's pleasures as possible. Its path has a glittering and beautiful gate, but it ends in destruction. God's path may be rocky and mountainous, with seas to cross and steep valleys to climb. Yet at the end of it, you will find an eternal home.

Decide to serve only God! Make your relationship with God the highest priority, above everything else.

Whoever You Are, You Are Precious to Him

Do you remember the story of the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:1-20)? This man lived alone, isolated, and in chains because he was often demon-possessed. Day after day he wandered among the tombs, screaming and hurting himself. No one dared approach him, much less tame him. He was considered the refuse of society, lower even than a servant. His existence did not matter; even his death would have made no difference to them.

Yet Jesus was willing to heal this madman because he was precious to Him (Matthew 10:1). For the sake of this one man, Jesus was willing to go to the trouble of crossing the lake, sacrificing 2,000 pigs belonging to the people of Gerasa, so much so that He was driven out of that region.

Do not lose heart if right now you are looked down on or not considered important. Perhaps you have been cast aside, isolated, excluded, forgotten, and treated like the refuse of society. Always remember: your Master, Jesus Christ, loves you so much that He was willing to sacrifice His life for you (Mark 10:45). You are truly precious to Him. He considers your relationship with Him important, and will do whatever it takes to bring you back to Him. -