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Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:
who being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him
the form of a servant…
Philippians 2:5-7
I remember the servant bride. I watched her walk back from the fellowship hall through the church after the wedding. Her attendants helped carry the train of her beautiful white gown. Her face was glowing.
I became distracted with something else. Several minutes went by. Then I noticed that the pastor was talking with a young woman. The lovely white gown had been taken off and now the bride was dressed in simple blue jeans and a green parka. I heard her ask the pastor if he had a mop she could borrow. The floor in the fellowship hall had gotten dirty during the reception and she was offering to clean it up for him. He quickly assured her it wasn’t necessary and it was okay for her to leave and enjoy her honeymoon.
I smiled. What a picture of what Christ’s bride should be, a gloriously adorned queen – with a servant’s heart. I see this image of the church portrayed in the thirty-first chapter of Proverbs. Through the description of a diligent wife, the ideal of what our service should be is described.
Faithful and productive, Jesus’ bride rises early to minister to the needs of her household. She serves her servants (verse15). She reaches out to help the poor and needy (verse 20). She prospers in her ways. Her children are well covered for the cold days ahead, for she has prepared them well with the Gospel message and they are clothed in the scarlet blood of the Lamb (verse 21). With godly wisdom she speaks and the fruit of kindness is upon her lips (verse 26). She acquires a vineyard expanding her Husband’s kingdom by the fruit she sows (verse 16). He sits in the gate and He is pleased for her candle of zealous service is always burning (verse 18).
I remember the servant bride and I smile at this image of a woman so in love, standing in a church with her wedding gown folded over her arm – and a mop griped firmly in her hand.
What a lovely example for all believers to follow.
Copyright 2006 by H.D. Shively
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