Prayer Journal

Sunday, December 31, 2000
366/0
Read the Bible through in OneYear

In the future people may look back and refer to this generation as the body pierced generation. Just when you think there is no part of the human body safe from being pierced and decorated with an ornament, some one does it.

There was a time when body piercing was a prevalent practice but it wasn't done to be decorative, but to be a sign of obedience. It was the duty of the bond servant in the care of his master to have a large hole punched in his ear at least the size of a button. Since this was a badge of honor to most slaves rather than a humiliation, the larger the hole in the ear of the servant, the better. A ring might be hung in the hole, but the large cavity itself was a sign of obligation even when the ring was out of the ear.

Slavery and servanthood are similar in some ways but different in others. Servanthood was not a shame in Biblical days and it is not today. In Jesus' day, servants and their families may have been considered slaves by wicked masters, but they were considered family by good masters. Those who served righteous masters were proud of their association, diligent in their duty and sought to make their lord successful. On the other hand, slaves to wicked masters might have been subjected to humiliation and abuse.

Paul wrote of the role of slave and master in his letter to the Colossian Christians in 3:22-24:

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything: and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

"What does slavery have to do with me?", you may be thinking. "That was then. This is now! I'm a slave to no one!" Well, that's not what Scripture says. It tells us that every man is a slave to something or someone. Drug addicts are slaves to drugs, workaholics to their jobs, bigots to their hate and Christians to the Lord Jesus. (2 Pet 2:19) Remember: Jesus told us that no man can serve two masters. (Mat 6:24)

Who are you serving today? Is your master a righteous Lord or a wicked taskmaster? Romans 8 says Christians have been set free from bondage and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. Are you living like you're free, but in truth serving a wicked taskmaster named, sin? Or, have you become the willing servant of the Lord Jesus? If so, rejoice servant! You've been set free.

 

(1) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(2) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Com+pany's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.

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