Are you a slave? The slave trade was abolished in the British Empire in 1807, and slavery itself in 1833. But you might still be a slave to sin, to routine, to your commitments - all rather negative things.
In Bible times, slavery was part of the economic structure of society. Slaves were tied, bonded to someone else, not free to do as they pleased. It was better to be free, of course, but a slave's life was not one of unrelieved misery, and most slaves gave cheerful and useful service in the households where they lived, even though, of course, there were exceptions. Slavery was not something totally negative.
Slaves served at table. And we should remember that in the Book of Acts, one of the earliest things the apostles did was to appoint deacons - another word for servant - to serve at the Lord's table and to distribute the offerings.
Slaves tended sheep. And we should remember that it was shepherds who first reacted to the good news of Jesus' birth, and that Jesus himself declared "I am the good shepherd" - one who would lay down his life for his Master's sheep.
Slaves ploughed the fields. And we should remember that we are all labourers in God's vineyard (Matt.20:1), all called to bring in the harvest (Matt. 9:37).
Slaves served their master or mistress. In Latin, some words go in pairs, like pater and mater, father and mother, or sinister and dexter, left and right. Magister, from which our word master comes, is paired with minister: the lesser side of the relationship, and it is good to remember that we are all ministers to each other (Eph. 4:12) - it is not just the clergy who are called to be slaves!
The English Bible of 1611 preferred to translate the Greek word for slave, doulos, as bondservant, or simply as servant. We do not care to think of ourselves as slaves. We are much happier thinking of ourselves as God's servants, and are happy to serve, even to attend the Sunday church service. That is because we are free. Jesus has set us free - but free to serve.
Yet there is a sting in the tail. Luke's Gospel describes how Jesus on his way to Jerusalem called some people to follow him. One said: "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say goodbye to those at home." Jesus replied: "No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God." We cannot give just part of ourselves as servants - no slave ever had a part-time contract! Our service has to be wholehearted, and our eyes must be fixed on the way ahead - not what might have been in the past, but what will be in the future. And with God as our master, the future will be bright.
HD