Joy in Suffering: Slavery

This past weekend, Bay and I had the privilege of stepping back into time. 

Well, it felt very much like we had done so. 

Months ago, we agreed to speak at a youth retreat for students from a variety of churches here in our hometown (and many who are totally "unchurched"). These are students who gather together for worship, study, and, of course, lots of fun.

For years, "youth-were-us" when it came to ministry. 

How we loved the students who walked through our doors! 

Our lives intersected at almost every juncture with how we could best present, and even re-present, Jesus to the best of our abilities.

As I've said before, we didn't do it perfectly, but we were wholeheartedly "for them" and for their spiritual well-being.

So, the opportunity this past weekend to come alongside some incredible teens, some pretty awesome leaders, and do what we used to do, felt fairly time-travel-ish. 

The only difference: names and faces had changed. Everything else remained the same. 

(Well, there IS one other difference. We are MUCH OLDER.)

We centered our talks around the theme of "Finding Joy."

 

Since I'd just begun studying Philippians (a book of joy), the whole theme fit my current trend of focus.

You can't get far into Philippians before you realize that for Paul, his joy equaled Jesus.

Knowing Jesus.

Reflecting on Jesus.

Living for Jesus.

Following Jesus. 

Dying for Jesus.

In fact, in Paul's greeting (1:1) lies one of his secrets to finding joy (synonymous with the word "contentment" in Philippians 4), even among the current trials of his life (imprisonment).

"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus."

Paul considered himself a servant of Jesus (not just a simple servant); he saw himself a slave!

His key 🗝🗝 to joy is all wrapped up in the Greek the word "douloi (plural)." 

Here's the definition in Strongs Lexicon:  

A slave, a bondman, man of servile condition (metaphorically, one who gives himself up to another's will). Used of those whose service is devoted to Christ for the purpose of extending and advancing His cause among men. An individual devoted to another at the disregard of one's own interests.

Gordon Fee, well known theologian, who wrote the New International Commentary on Philippians says this:

While “servant,” found in most English translations, is an acceptable rendering, it also causes the English reader to lose something of its force. 

For the (basically Gentile) readers of this letter, this word would have only meant “slave.” 

Indeed, douloi were so common in Greco-Roman society that no one would have thought it to refer other than to those owned by, and subservient to, the master of a household. 

To be sure, the institution of slavery in antiquity was a far cry from racial slavery, as we know it... Even so, the slave in the Roman Empire was not a free person, but “belonged to” another. 

Thus, whatever else, the word carries connotations of humility and servitude.

A bond-slave chose servitude out of love, trust, relationship, identification with, and security. 

Paul knew this...fully assumed it, as he spoke that word into his letter.

He wanted those who read it to always remember where joy begins: 

...with a surrender to the ONE perfectly loving, kind, grace-filled, compassionate, long-suffering Lord, who proved the depths of His love at the cross. 

Jesus can be trusted, and, we can follow such a master, knowing His heart is absolutely, completely, at all times for us.

It takes all the weight of wondering "why" in our hardships and heartaches when we have a Lord who loves us like this!!!

Because He would allow nothing to touch our lives that wasn't first for our good and His glory in some very significant way!

That said, on Saturday night, Bay shared this message, and the Spirit of the Lord began to move.

As he brought the night to a close, students began to bend their knees in agreement - THIS JESUS IS WORTH SURRENDERING MY LIFE TO COMPLETELY...and as they did, we saw them enter into the JOY of their salvation. 

The only way to start a journey of joy amidst the struggles that life can bring? 

There is no question: 

...it begins with a mind-set on serving Jesus with everything in us, because we know what kind of Lord to whom we are offering our lives.