A tale of seven table servers

Jesus washed His disciples’ feet doing the job of a lowly servant. His example of frequently taking the lowest place is sometimes called “servant leadership.” However, in the book of Acts, Jesus’ first disciples were given a special title “the Twelve” and gathered “all the disciples together” to announce: “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” That has always seemed to me like “the Twelve” were acting contrary to Jesus’ example.

Then “the Twelve” told “all the (other) disciples” to choose seven men to be responsible for the lowly job that they didn’t want to do. (Notice that the Bible doesn’t say that God told “the Twelve” to do this. It just says they did it. Also notice that “the Twelve” didn’t pray about which men should do the lowly job of serving widows. They simply told all the other Christ followers to pick them.)

What was the motive of the apostles? It was so that they could spend their time giving “attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” However, it appears that the Holy Spirit had a different intention.

One of the chosen seven “table waiters,” Stephen, rather than waiting tables, quickly began to focus on “the ministry of the word” and to work miracles among the people. His preaching was so bold and anointed that it stirred up such a storm that Stephen was stoned to death. Before he was murdered, this “table waiter” preached a powerful message that takes up almost the entire chapter of Acts 7.

Then at the beginning of Acts chapter 8 we are told that because of Stephen’s preaching a great persecution broke out “and all except the apostles (the Greek word means “sent ones”) were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria” and “those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” So, the “sent ones” stayed in Jerusalem but all the rest of the Christians (including the widows) were scattered to “minister the word” around Judea and Samaria (the two places Jesus told the “sent one” to go after Jerusalem to be His witnesses. See Acts 1:8).

Acts chapter 8 tells how Philip (another man who was picked to be one of the 7 “table waiters”) went to a city in Samaria and “proclaimed Christ to them.” It says: “The crowds gave their undivided attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform. With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.” (It looks like Philip the “table waiter” was doing the job that Jesus had told his apostles/sent ones to do in Acts 1:8, but they were hiding out in Jerusalem).

I believe that this account of choosing seven “table waiters” to free up the “sent ones” is included in the book of Acts to show us that all believers are anointed to do the work of the ministry, to preach the Gospel, and to work signs and wonders everywhere. Let’s get going for Jesus, even if we have to leave church leaders behind.

The living Jesus is reliant, but few fully rely on Him. Instead, we rely on our religion, our pride, and our self-effort. Throughout the book of Acts the risen Jesus acts in and through people. Now let Him act in and through you!

Mature Christians cry. The Bible says: “Weep with who weep.”

The three lights in the picture represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit shinning in and through those who truly and humbly serve. Let God’s light shine in and through you!

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