A biblical scholar once remarked: "One of the most common expressions in the Old Testament of the relationship between humankind and God is contained in the words ‘serve,’ ‘service,’ and ‘servant.’ " What comes to your mind when you hear any one of these words? What do you think of when you hear the word "servant"? A flunky? A gofer? A Victorian called "Jeeves"? Someone with no mind of his or her own? A person who lacks fiber and is easily a patsy for someone else to use or "lord it over"? Unfortunately, in too many cases, people are inclined to think in this way.

But this has never been the biblical concept which emerges gradually in the Old Testament and is perfected in the New. The Bible rescued and redefined the concept of "servant," giving it fiber, stamina and spiritual substance. P…