The Example of Phoebe

PHOEBE HAS BEEN A GREAT HELP TO MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING ME. Romans 16.2.

In an age when everyone wants only to be masters and not servants, it is good to sing now and again at our gatherings the chorus, “Make me a servant humble and meek; Lord, let me seek all those who are weak; and may the prayer of my heart always be; make me a servant, make me a servant today!” It will be a strong reminder to us, followers of Christ, that we also need to be like Him. Jesus called the disciples together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave -- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt 20.28).

Follow through the Bible and you will find that ‘Whoever served God and His people, He raised them up to leadership’. That is the divine criteria to be ‘exalted or lifted up’ in the kingdom of God. The Bible tells us, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Pe 5.6). Not only that, we are also clearly told, “The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished” (Pro 16.5).

The Bible condemns a selfish spirit. The apostle Paul taught, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Phil 2 5-5).

In life and ministry or service, the Lord Jesus Christ must be our supreme example. “He came to seek and to save the lost” (Lk19.10). In doing so, He tirelessly worked day after day and did good to all. Then He also gave up His life for others! It is not in our human spirit or mentality to humble ourselves and serve others. We need to imitate Christ and cultivate it with the help of the Holy Spirit. Even the twelve disciples who were with Jesus did not show humility but expressed the desire to be ‘at the top’ even in heaven – seated at His left and right! (Mk 10.37).

Dear believer, notice in today’s Bible text the apostle Paul describing a dear sister, Phoebe, who was unlike most of us! “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me” (vs 1,2). Oh! That these words may describe your life and mine here on earth and be the epitaph (inscription) on our tombstones! Remember, for that you must begin to do some service to someone today, with God's help!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, (You have to) make me a servant humble and meek; Lord, let me seek all those who are weak; and may the prayer of my life always be; make me a servant, make me a servant today! Amen.