What New Testament teachings align with the servant's declaration in Exodus 21:5? Exodus 21:5 — A Servant’s Loving Choice “But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I do not want to go free,’ ” The servant is already legally free to leave, yet he chooses lifelong service out of love. That same heartbeat pulses through the New Testament. Jesus, the Master Who First Became a Servant • Philippians 2:5-7—“Christ Jesus…emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant.” • Mark 10:45—He “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Because our Master surrendered Himself for us, serving Him becomes the most natural response of love. Voluntary, Loving Bond-Servants of Christ • Romans 6:17-18—“Though you were slaves to sin, you have become obedient from the heart…having been set free from sin, you have become slaves to righteousness.” • 1 Peter 2:16—“Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” • Galatians 5:13—“You were called to freedom…serve one another in love.” The pattern matches Exodus 21:5: – Freedom offered → freedom gladly surrendered. – Love for the Master → lifelong devotion. – Service flowing from relationship, not coercion. New Testament Voices Echoing the Ancient Servant • Paul: “Paul, a servant [Greek doulos] of Christ Jesus” (Romans 1:1). • James: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). • Peter, Jude, John—each proudly adopts the same title. Like the Hebrew servant, they publicly declare, “I love my Master…I do not want to go free.” Love: The Driving Motive • 2 Corinthians 5:14—“For Christ’s love compels us.” • John 14:15—“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Service is no longer a duty checklist; it is the overflow of affection. The Mark of Permanent Belonging Exodus 21:6 describes the ear pierced at the doorpost—a visible, lifelong mark. New Covenant parallels: • Ephesians 1:13—“Having believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” • Galatians 6:17—“I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” God Himself places His seal on those who choose to stay with Him forever. Living the Declaration Today • Choose daily to present yourself to Christ—Romans 12:1 calls it a “living sacrifice.” • Serve family, church, and neighbor not from obligation but affection—Galatians 5:13. • Remember the freedom you could claim, then gladly lay it down for the One who laid down everything for you. The servant’s words in Exodus 21:5 reverberate through the New Testament: true freedom is found in loving, willing surrender to the Master who first served us. |
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