Sonship precedes servanthood: A reflection on Identity and Work (Luke 15:11-32)
Understanding our identity as children of God—sons and daughters—is crucial because it shapes and influences every aspect of our lives. A simple Google search reveals over 30 Bible verses emphasizing believers as children of God. For example, 2 Corinthians 6:18 says, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” John 1:12-13 further elaborates, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” Additionally, Romans 8:16 declares, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children,” and Galatians 4:6 proclaims, “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’” As a child of God, this foundational truth shapes our self-perception, worldview, priorities, lifestyle, and work. Essentially, it permeates everything we are and everything we do. This concept is central to Jesus’ teachings, underscoring both the beginning and end of His ministry. It defines who Jesus is and manifests in His actions.
Yet, on the other hand, servanthood also seems to be a key theme in Christianity, deeply embedded in the teachings and exemplified in the life of Jesus Christ. It calls for humility, sacrifice, and a willingness to prioritize others' needs. By embracing servanthood, believers not only follow Jesus' example but also experience the true greatness that comes from serving others. This transformative principle remains as relevant today as it was in the time of Christ, offering a path to authentic discipleship. Three profound statements made by Jesus about servanthood can be highlighted as a) Jesus came to serve not to be served (Mark 10:45). b) Jesus washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17). c) The greatest must be the least (Matt 20:26-28). These three passages encapsulate the essence of Jesus' ministry. His purpose was not to demand service from others but to serve humanity, ultimately sacrificing His life for the salvation of mankind. This concept of servanthood challenges conventional views of leadership and greatness where they are often expected to be served and honored. However, Jesus' example turns this notion upside down, teaching that true greatness lies in serving others.
The Bible on one hand says we are servants of the Most-High God (Acts 16:17) and on the other hand we are God’s children- sons and daughters. The question that this devotional raises is this: are we first servants or first sons (inclusive of both men and women)? Does the order really matter? I would opine that the order does matter and sonship precedes servanthood and not vice versa. I will try to unpack that a little more in the following paragraphs.
Jesus’ identity: Sonship precedes servanthood
Jesus exemplifies servanthood, but His actions are rooted in His deep understanding of His sonship and His intimate relationship with the Father. Everything Jesus did was an extension of His identity as the Son of God, operating through a profound intimacy with the Father. As Eugene Peterson paraphrases in The Message, Jesus’ actions were born, “from a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge” (Matt 11:27). If one pays a close attention to the life of Jesus, the evidences point to that fact.
First, Jesus’ identity and mission originated from the Father. As John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.” Jesus was sent by the Father, and the Father has testified concerning Him (John 5:37). This divine origin emphasizes that Jesus is not autonomous but deeply connected to the Father. This is why, his identity as Joseph and Mary’s son, his identity as a man born in Nazareth, born as a Jew are matters not unimportant but they are secondary to him.
Second, to do the Father’s will: Jesus’ purpose is to reveal the Father by fulfilling His will. In John 6:38, Jesus declares, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me.” Similarly, in Luke 2:49, Jesus articulates His mission: “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” Jesus’ agenda is entirely focused on the Father’s will and his desire to fulfill it. This is why serving as a servant, humbling himself to wash his very own disciples’ feet does not threaten his Sonship with the Father.
Third, sharing the Father with us: Jesus extends the relationship He has with the Father to His followers. In teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus begins with “Our Father in heaven” (Matt 6:9), thereby inviting us to address God as our Father. This act of sharing redefines our relationship with God, allowing us to approach Him as His children.
Fourth, returning to the Father: Jesus’ mission culminates in His return to the Father, preparing a place for us. In John 14:2-3, Jesus assures, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” The ultimate goal of Jesus’ return is to bring us back to the Father, reaffirming our eternal relationship with Him.
It is from this place of sonship that Jesus lived to work (teach, serve, heal, comfort etc.) and accomplish the Father’s will by serving like a servant and not vice versa. In other words, Jesus did not come as a servant to do the Father’s will and in the process He was made a son. He was first sent as a Son (John 3:16) and as the Son came to serve. The oxymoron is that, all that the Father has is His (John 16:15) so He lacks nothing and yet serving like a servant not even having a place to lay his head, owning nothing (Luke 9:58).
Lessons from the Parable of Two Lost Sons
As one reads the story in Luke 15, it is a parable of not just one but two lost sons. First, the younger son assumed that his sonship vanished in thin air because of his foolish and irresponsible action. He thought he was better off on his own so he demanded his inheritance and soon squandered it all in wild living. As the story progresses, he realizes his own mistake and decides to return to the father yet regards himself as no longer worthy to be a son again (Luke 15:19). This is how many Christians think of themselves. Our identity is always in jeopardy because of our sins and our inconsistencies in our walk with God. Many think of themselves more like a servant, slave, sinner, or even an orphan. Yet what we read in the story is that actions whether good or bad, honoring or dishonoring, no matter how crazy that sounds, do not threaten our sonship in the Father. Once we are His child, sonship is permanent and the Father will never take it away.
Secondly, servanthood preceded sonship for the older son. He seemed to be a good servant as he never disobeyed the Father (Luke 15:29). However, he did not understand sonship and thus he said, “Look! All these years I have been slaving for you.” Servanthood without understanding sonship will often result in slavery, abuse, and manipulation, to one person benefitting at the cause of another’s suffering. The older son worked hard and seemed to be even quite obedient. However, the tragedy is that he did not understand what sonship is. He tried to earn favor from the Father. One’s position and security are always threatened for servants. They never know when they can be kicked out of the house. So the father in the parable says to the elder son, “My son, you are always with me and everything I have is yours” (Luke 15:31). Christians are to operate from that place of sonship. Only then serving like a servant will not be demeaning.
Conclusion
Any identity that can be stripped from us cannot be our primary identity. Our identity as an Indian, or Canadian, or our work identity as a manager, accountant, consultant, engineer, or car mechanic, can all be stripped from us. But our identity as a son, as a daughter is God-given and it cannot be stripped by any other human being. This is our primary and permanent identity. I do not underestimate the importance of servanthood. Christianity talks about the importance of serving which is pivotal as Christ would serve even to the point of self-emptying himself for the benefit of others. Yet the principle that can be drawn from the life of Christ and this parable is that work for the Lord can be done without knowing God’s nature or God’s intent. We can give our best in our work without being in a relationship with Him. Therefore, knowing our identity in Christ is critical to our engagement with and in the world. Surely there is no perfect working system, perfect company, perfectly safe, or perfectly healthy working environment. We often work in environments that are unethical, toxic, and abusive, where strife, jealousy, and unhealthy competition occur. However, knowing full well of our sonship in the Father, and being in that relationship affects how we serve here on earth. If one operates from such a place, no work is too lofty nor too low as we seek to fulfill the will of the Father by serving in whatever capacities. Servants do not know the affairs of the Father but sons do. Servants ask for tasks to fulfill but sons ask for work-life adventures that they can embark on with the Father. So sonship precedes servanthood.
