25 November Deuteronomy 15

Be a servant to Jesus, Your Redeemer

Deuteronomy 15:16-18 (NIV) “But if your servant says to you, “I do not want to leave you,” because he loves you and your family and is well off with you, then take an awl and push it through his earlobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your female servant. Do not consider it a hardship to set your servant free, because their service to you these six years has been worth twice as much as that of a hired hand. And the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do”.

If a slave wanted to stay with their master, God allowed them to choose to do so. Why would a freed slave make this choice? By serving the master for life, the slave would be cared for in their old age. In the same way, if you choose to give up your freedom to serve Christ, He will take care of you forever.

Jesus gave His life to redeem us, freeing us from sin. We are called to serve Him out of love and thankfulness. Galatians 5:13 (NIV) “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love”.

Jesus Himself came to serve, not to be served. He showed us the true heart of a servant by humbling Himself. Philippians 2:5-7 (NIV) “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness”.

Serving Jesus gives our lives purpose, aligning us with God’s will and allowing us to make a difference in the world. Romans 12:11 (AMP) “never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord”. Jesus promises that our service will be rewarded, not only in this life but in eternity. Paul gives a further instruction in Colossians 3:23-24 (AMP) “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve”.

In conclusion, choosing to serve Jesus as our Redeemer is the highest act of love and devotion we can offer. Just as the servant in Deuteronomy willingly gave their life to a master they loved, we are invited to give our lives to Christ, not out of obligation, but out of deep gratitude for His redeeming love. When we surrender ourselves to Him, we enter a relationship beyond earthly bonds—a relationship where we are loved, cared for, and provided for in ways only He can offer. Serving Jesus brings purpose, fulfilment, and the promise of eternal reward as we live not for ourselves but for the One who gave everything for us.

By dedicating ourselves to Him, we are assured that, just as He promised in Colossians, our service is seen, valued, and will be rewarded, not only in this life but in the life to come. Let us serve Jesus joyfully and faithfully, knowing that we find true freedom and eternal care in Him.