Treasures Still Hidden in the Upper Room: Part 2

This is Part 2 of an essay by my wife, Colleen. Part 1 was posted yesterday.

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I began studying men with a servants heart in the Old Testament and they had three things in common. A heart of worship, death to self and a heart of service. They had failings, like the rest of us, but they were able to be used because of the three stated characteristics. Let’s take a look at a few of these men.

The first person I would like us to look at is Moses. He started out by killing a man and running for his life. (Exodus: 2-11-16). He even argued with God face to face and lived. (Ex. 3:4-17) God continued to talk to Moses thru the years and because of Moses servants heart, God entrusted him with the ten commandments. Moses was one of the biggest servants that I can think of in the Old Testament. He gave his life and served a rebellious people for over forty years. He acted as judge, councilor, guide, protector and teacher. He gave up his life for the Israelites.

The second person is David. He was known as a man after God’s own heart. (I Samuel 13:14). He was a man of contradictions: He was a servant yet demanding. Humble yet arrogant. Generous yet selfish. Protector yet murderer. How could this man be used by God? Because of his heart of worship, heart of repentance and heart of service. David knew that worship and service were key before God. David was a king for over forty years, wrote over half the psalms and was willing take responsibility after making massive mistakes.

Moses and David are a just few examples of men with a servants heart. They show us that a heart of service always wants others to exceed above self. Two of Jesus’ disciples, James and John Zebedee had to learn this lesson. In the upper room they were arguing about who was the best and could they both be seated by Jesus in heaven. Jesus gently rebuked them and told them that only the Father knows who will be where in heaven. Also, the cost of what they were asking for would be very high and he encouraged them to put others above themselves.