CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

March 7, 2004

PRAY FOR:

Our congregation                                                     Various friends, relatives and co-workers

Our college students                                                 The Stolte’s in Germany

Our nation, military and leaders                               David and Leon in the Navy

Norma Hicks and Mrs. Anderson                             Bob and Pat Stolte

COMING UP EVENTS:

May 6^th - National Day of Prayer

Jun. 6-12 - Encounter

PIERCE MY EAR

“But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master must take him before the judges.  He shall take him to the door or the door post and pierce his ear with an awl.  Then he will be his servant for life” (Exodus 21:5-6).

Reading through Exodus, I came across this text.  It dealt with a Hebrew servant bought by a master.  He was to serve for six years and be freed in the seventh.  If the servant came with a family, he may leave with his family.  But if he came by himself, marries, then he had a decision to make.  He could leave by himself, for the family would belong to the master.  However, if he chooses to stay because of his love for his master and family, then his ear would be pierced and he would be a servant for life. 

Before we draw some lessons from this, we need to keep some things in mind.  First, this might bother some of us because we are opposed to slavery.  Reading the text carefully, there is freedom involved in some of the decisions being made, especially by the servant.  There is also a time frame for service.  There could be any number of reasons for this.  Further revelations in the Law show the responsibilities that are required on the part of masters and servants, including provisions and freedom.  Abuse of this would bring consequences from God.  There is also a commitment involved here and that is what we want to look at.

When I read this text, I’m reminded of a song we sing at various youth functions.  Called “Pierce My Ear,” it says something about our commitment as servants of Jesus.  Here are the words:

             Pierce my ear, oh Lord, my God

            Take me to your door today

            For I will serve no other God

            Lord, I’m here to stay.

           For You have paid a price for me

           With your blood you ransomed me

           I will serve you eternally

          A free man I’ll never be.

The application from the Exodus text is obvious.  We have become servants of Jesus Christ.  We have made a commitment to Him.  In so doing, we ask God to pierce our ear, showing our life time desire to remain with Him in His service.  Our commitment is to serve Him and no other.  Jesus expressed that idea in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters.”  Who is our master?  Where is our treasure (Matthew 6:19-21)?  This service is based on the blood that has ransomed us from our sins. 

The last line, “A free man I’ll never be” goes contrary to our thoughts of freedom.  We are free in Christ to serve, not to do whatever I want.  In our country, we want our “rights,” rights to basically do whatever we want to do.  It is a selfish point of view.  It is no longer what I can give, but what can I get.  Figuratively, piercing ones ear is committing oneself to service.  And that is a radical thought.  We are free in Christ, committed to serve Him.  We are not to abuse our freedom selfishly; rather we are to use our freedom toward others.

Another aspect to look at is service.  Many in the church talk a good game about service but fail to practice it.  There is only one Master.  We do not have nor should we think or practice that we have mini-masters to rule over us.  The primary emphasis in the life of Jesus was that of service.  He came to serve.  He washed His disciples feet.  He gave His life for us.  If shepherds want to be great leaders, they need to be great servants.  Their lives, like ours, should be lost in serving others, thinking nothing of themselves (see Philippians 2:4, NRSV).  Their ears have been pierced, and they no longer are concerned about position or power. 

Of course, all of this involves humility, something terribly lacking in both society and the church.  Servants are humble (see Philippians 2:6-8).  It is not being in control, how much fame or power one has, or who can see what one does, but in humble service that brings glory to God alone.  Our Father sees in secret, the proud are seen in public.  What a contrast!  Who do we want to be noticed by, God or people?  That is a tough question for all of us.  We like praise, rewards, to be in the spot light.  But what if that never happens.  Will our lives be any less meaningful?  If we are seeking God’s glory, then it is that eternal situation that we look forward to rather than what little fleeting fame one can find here in this world. 

Have we made our commitment firm?  Do we need to renew it?  “Pierce my ear, oh Lord my God…I’m here to stay.”

                                                                                                     George B. Mearns