FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
OUR THEME FOR 2021
(Part 23)
GIVING OUR ALL
May 18, 2021
Today’s readings:
Acts 20:17-27
The great apostle Paul gave his farewell message at Miletus to the disciples. “Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace.” (v.24). And here in these few words is the essence of our call to serve Jesus as his witnesses. It has several important elements.
First, the basic task is to bear witness to Jesus and to the gospel, which is the good news of salvation in Jesus. It is evangelization. It is sharing the life-giving gospel. We in effect stand in the place of Jesus, doing what he would do in order to bring people to faith in him.
Second, this is the most important aspect of our life as Christian disciples. It is more important than life itself, such that one should be willing to give his life for the sake of the gospel. It is our first priority. It ought to be our basic preoccupation. It will require our time, talent and treasure. We are to give it our all.
Third, as Christian disciples we should desire and strive to finish what Jesus has commissioned us to do. We are to endure and persevere, in the face of hardships, oppression and persecution. We run the race in order to win the crown of glory. We look forward to our eternal reward.
In addition, there are admirable qualities of Paul that we can seek to emulate.
So fourth, there is his humility. “I served the Lord with all humility” (v.19a). Paul was such a great apostle. He established many Christian communities and formed many leaders. But he did not think highly of himself. He looked only to serving Jesus and his people. He was the leader who was a servant.
Then fifth, there is endurance. Paul served “with the tears and trials that came” (v.19b). Paul probably suffered much more than other disciples. He experienced beatings, imprisonments, brushes with death, stoning, shipwreck, dangers, sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, cold and exposure. He never complained, but wore his troubles as badges of honor.
Sixth, there is boldness, zeal and persistence. “I did not at all shrink from telling you what was for your benefit, or from teaching you in public or in your homes.” (v.20). Paul said what needed to be said, and took whatever opportunity was given him. Anywhere and everywhere, he was focused on his work. “I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God.” (v.27).
Finally, there is acceptance of whatever God wills. “But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem. What will happen to me there I do not know, except that in one city after another the holy Spirit has been warning me that imprisonment and hardships await me.” (v.22-23). Paul would not be deterred, even by any hardship. He was docile to the Holy Spirit, and he just obeyed what he was told to do. He put his whole trust in God.
We too are called. We too are privileged. Let us be able to say, just like Paul, “I earnestly bore witness for both Jews and Greeks to repentance before God and to faith in our Lord Jesus.” (v.21).
