SERVANT HOSPITALITY

SERVANT BEHAVIOUR

In our journey through the vein of belief, the concept of being a servant holds huge significance for followers of Yahusha Alahim. To serve is to embody love, humility, and a commitment to the well-being of others, as demonstrated by Yahusha Himself during His earthly ministry. This article explores the behaviour of love that should identify and characterise us as servants of Yahusha, drawing upon the Hebrew meanings of the word “SERVANT,” scriptural references, and historic context from both the Old and New Covenants.

The HEBREW UNDERSTANDING for SERVANT is ‘Eved’, which translates to ‘servant, slave, love-slave or bondservant.’ This word speaks of submission, dedication, and the DUTY to serve others. The hebrew-root of ‘Eved’ is closely associated with ’Work and service, reflecting a deeper purpose beyond mere obligation’. According to the Jewish tradition, this role is not one of oppression (ie. harsh slavery) but embodies loyalty, respect, and a willing heart to serve a master, which symbolises not just human authority but also serving Alahim.

The hebrew culture of belief (from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) was grounded in hospitality and how far one would go for `a stranger living in their tents’. Sodom was destroyed not only for the sin that bore it’s name, but mainly for it’s cruelty and inhospitableness to each other and to strangers. (Remember Lot set up his post at the city gates in order to watch, welcome and protect people).

Under the Old Covenant, the concept of servanthood is deeply rooted in the Covenant Relationship between Alahim (god) and Israel. Israelites were often depicted as Yahuah’s servants, a term used to signify their CHOSEN STATUS AND RESPONSIBILITY to uphold the Commandments and reflect Alahim’s behaviour in their lives. For example, (in ISAIAH 41:8) Yahuah refers to Israel as His servant: “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, My friend.” This connection with serving highlights the EXPECTATION to live according to Alahim’s commandments and actively behave His Word. Slaves were part of Hebrew culture, and when their time was completed, servants had the choice to leave, or stay and continue to serve the family as a LOVE-SLAVE, piercing their ear as a sign of their loving allegiance.

The New Covenant continues to refine the understanding of servanthood, particularly in the teachings and behaviour of Yahusha, Who exemplified this servant-nature during His time on earth. In MATTHEW 20:26-28, He instructs His Disciples on the essence of true leadership and service: “But whoever would be great among you MUST BE YOUR SERVANT, and whoever would be first among you MUST BE YOUR SLAVE. Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Here, Yahusha models the heart of a true servant - one who places the needs of others before His own and acts selflessly for their benefit, to deliver them and allow them to grow! As followers of Yahusha, our behaviour as servants should spring up from a LOVE FOR YAHUSHA ALAHIM & OUR NEIGHBOUR. This essential New Commandment is given in MATTHEW 22:37-39: “And Yahusha said to him, ‘You will love Yahuah your Alahim with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: you will love your neighbour as yourself.’”

1. HAVE LOVE AND COMPASSION : At the forefront of a servant’s behaviour must be genuine love and compassion towards others. This aligns with the Hebrew concept of ‘Chesed’, often translated as “loving-kindness.” (fruit that must grow within us). It means we have an affectionate loyalty toward others and reflects Yahusha’s steadfast love. A servant of Yahusha Alahim should ACTIVELY DEMONSTRATE KINDNESS, mercy, and compassion towards others, recognising that they are worthy of honor and respect (above yourself).

2. BE HOSPITABLE : Hospitality means ‘friendly, cheerful & welcoming’ and is a crucial expression of servanthood, particularly in Scripture-times when sharing meals and shelter represented deep bonds of community and care. HEB 13:2 urges, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained Angels unawares.” A servant’s home should be a welcoming space, reflecting the kindness and openness with which Yahusha invites each person into His presence.

3. SERVE OTHERS : In striving to live out Yahusha’s Royal Law to love our neighbours, service becomes a vital practice. This can manifest through acts of kindness, regularly opening our homes up to others, and kindness within the community. GALATIANS 5:13 encourages believers: “For you were called to freedom, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh (sinful desires), but through love serve one another.” Serving others should be an expression of our freedom in Yahusha, using all of our gifts and resources to uplift those around us.

4. HUMILITY AND SELFLESSNESS :

The character of a servant reflects humility, echoing PHILIPPIANS 2:3-4: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more important than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.” This attitude of humility aligns with the representation of servanthood under the Old Covenant, where true servants of Alahim consistently placed the needs of others above their own through acts of hospitality and kindness, even to the stranger/foreigner within their gates.

Historically, the role of a servant within ancient Israel and the Greco-Roman world involved certain societal dynamics, often defined by duty and obligation. Servants, or slaves, frequently held positions that demanded loyalty to their masters while contributing significantly to the household’s functions. Just as righteous households considered their bought slaves, not only servants but close friends/part of the family, Yahusha calls us (His bought love-slaves) His friends and family. So our heart-behaviour must be one of a servant, just like He showed us in His own life. LOVING & SERVING OTHERS IS NOT DEGRADING but royalty, and incredibly rewarding as we experience the favour and pleasure of Yahusha within us, understanding Who it is we’re really serving! .... Him!

Early Leaders, such as Paul and Peter, emphasised that their high calling was as bondservants of Yahusha. In ROMANS 1:1, Paul writes, “Paul, a servant of Messiah Yahusha, called to be an apostle, set-apart for the Gospel of Alahim.” This reverence for servanthood influenced the early community of believers, framing their mission as one of LOVE AND SERVICE, rather than dominance or authority over others.

IN CONCLUSION, being a servant of Yahusha calls for a specific behaviour that embodies love, humility, and a commitment to the well-being of others. Our behaviour must flow from a new heart and spirit, transformed by Yahusha’s Narrow Vein of Spirit and Fire Baptism, which DELIVERS US FROM EVIL: our former fleshly habits and protocols of living and doing things ‘My Way’. We recognise our bodies as the only New Covenant Temple that Yahusha now indwells and seeks to SHINE from, for we have been “bought with a great price and your life is not your own”. It is our conscious choice to BE YAHUSHA’S REVOLUTION of servant-behaviour, by forgetting about ourselves,“Count it all joy when you fall into various trials”, and worship Yahusha beyond the VEIL, taking this spiritual behaviour of a humble, hospitable, loving servant straight INTO OUR HOMES for the perfecting and maturing of everyone involved. By embracing our role as servants, we mirror Yahusha’s character, creating a positive impact and `loving, cheerful, welcoming vibe’ to those around us as we start practicing the art of ‘loving Yahusha and our neighbour’ in real-time.

SO WE START THIS IN OUR QUARRIES BY SERVING EACH OTHER -

PRACTICING SERVITUDE AND HOSPITALITY ON EACH OTHER! 

Husbands wives, parents, children, friends, neighbours. We must start this in our home/ quarries and practice it to get better. Hear Yahusha and do what He says, for He loves us and wants us to connect and follow Him in every thought and moment of our day. Choose to make this the priority, CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULE !! It’s time for the Bride to step forward into lives of meaningful service and good works (the peaceable fruits of righteousness) that please Yahusha our Alahim, Who’s finishing the work He started in all of us!

SO WHAT IS YOUR FIRST STEP TO ACTIVATE THIS ?

HOSPITALITY BEHAVIOUR

When we think of serving, we may think of helping people at the point of their need— the hungry, the lonely, the imprisoned, the oppressed, the homeless, the mentally ill, and so forth (all of whom Yahusha may call among us as He did us). We may also think of serving as an attitude toward others that manifests itself in putting them before ourself, helping others in some way whether or not they ask for it or even realise it. Anyone can serve others. It does not require any special skills or experiences, only the willingness to help others as you have the opportunity. However, there are observable behavioural traits in those who serve. Here are the qualities of servants:

1. HUMILITY

Serving begins with humility. Some might argue that it begins with an opportunity— (encountering a person in need), but without humility, we won’t even recognise the opportunity. Humility is: “the quality of having a modest or low view of one’s importance” (e.g ‘he needs the humility to accept that their way is better’) ... So it sounds like true humility is not doing things your way but someone elses? At its base, serving is giving some of yourself to someone else, some of your time, some of your wisdom, some of your strength, some of your resources. It is letting go of something in your possession for the benefit of others. Humility is the willingness to ‘play second fiddle,’ for without it, the orchestra has no harmony!

Humility is not . . . thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.

Humility is not . . . a sign of weakness.

Humility is not . . . sitting on the sidelines.

Humility is . . . the courage to be honest with yourself and those around you.

Humility is . . . being teachable.

Humility is . . . allowing yourself to be vulnerable (ie ... exposed to the possibility of

being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally).

2. SEEING NEEDS

A true servant is a person who sees the needs of others ... being observant and compassionate to the needs of others. Society (in general) doesn’t see other’s needs because we don’t want to see them. However a true servant’s eyes are wide open to the needs around them, using Yahusha’s Spirit to discern the required behaviour.

3. COMPASSION

Compassion is being moved by another’s pain or need. It is grounded in empathy or the ability to put oneself into another’s situation as if it were our own. Empathy is not the same as sympathy, nor is compassion the same. Sympathy is pity, maybe heartfelt regret for another’s needs but it doesn’t lead to action. We shouldn’t look down on anybody unless we’re willing to help them up. The role model for compassion is the Good Samaritan. In Yahusha’s telling of the story, He says when the Samaritan saw the robbery victim, “he had compassion on him.” And he proceeded to bind up the man’s wounds and carry him to a safe place where he could recover. So the point is clear: Compassionate love leads to SERVING someone somehow !

4. COURAGE

Serving others will inevitably lead to situations that move you out of your comfort zone. The fact is when you give yourself in response to another’s need, you become vulnerable to their pain and you may feel uncomfortable or inadequate (wrong thinking). A true servant is one who pushes past fear to serve whether that fear is from real or perceived danger or merely discomfort from unfamiliar circumstances or speaking out truth. Fear can paralyse us if we choose to listen to those thoughts. And if we do, we are ignoring the needs of another person and focusing on ourself (ignoring what Yahusha is doing). Self-protection works to OUR benefit, but we can (if we choose), set it aside for someone more important than us.

5. SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY

A servant usually feels responsible, not for the pain or suffering of another, but to help alleviate their suffering. A sense of responsibility can come from two sources: One is a strong sense of community (that you are part of a larger community and bear some responsibility to make it a better place). So, you pay your taxes, obey the laws, refuse to litter, and do what you can to serve the less fortunate. Serving is simply one way of being a good citizen. But for us who are followers of Yahusha, being a humble servant is a matter of obedience to His Royal Laws of Love. Through Yahusha’s life and word we can see that He has a special place in his heart for the poor and oppressed. So, serving becomes a matter of acting on His behalf, or better yet, allowing yourself to be an instrument of help and healing in His hands.

DOING THINGS YAHUSHA’S WAY AND NOT OUR OWN MEANS WE TAKE ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF A SERVANT IN OUR HOME-QUARRY & COMMUNITY ...

Behavioural Training for a ROYAL SERVANT or Luxury Hospitality:

Serving in an environment of royalty or high-end hospitality demands a unique set of behaviours, skills, and attitudes. This training is designed to foster an understanding of how to interact with guests with the utmost respect, professionalism, and warmth, ensuring a memorable and comfortable experience. Below are key areas of focus, including practical applications regarding speech, body language, and behaviour to cultivate excellence in service (as a servant).

1. PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE

Always wear a well-tailored, clean uniform or formal attire that adheres to the established dress code. Pay attention to grooming—maintain a neat hairstyle, clean nails, and polished shoes. Conduct regular self-checks in mirrors before entering guest areas to ensure you maintain a professional image.

2. BODY LANGUAGE

Maintain an upright posture when standing or walking; this conveys confidence and readiness to assist. Keep your shoulders relaxed yet back to exhibit openness and attentiveness. Establish friendly and respectful eye contact when speaking to guests, demonstrating engagement and sincerity. Employ warm, genuine smiles. Avoid overly serious expressions that could intimidate or discourage communication.

3. SPEECH AND COMMUNICATION

Use a calm, soft, and pleasant tone. Opt for a higher pitch while speaking to instil a sense of warmth and friendliness. Use formal language and proper titles when addressing guests (e.g. “Sir,” “Ma’am,”) tailored to the ranking or status of the guest. Avoid slang, jargon, and overly casual expressions; maintain professionalism at all times. Employ positive phrasing—focus on what can be done rather than what cannot be done. Use phrases like “I’d be happy to assist you with that” instead of saying “I can’t do that.” Always be the first to make eye contact and greet your guests, making the atmosphere pleasant and comfortable for all.

4. ANTICIPATING NEEDS

Be observant and attentive to non-verbal cues. Many guests may indicate their needs through body language or subtle hints rather than direct requests. Maintain vigilance for signs that a guest may need assistance or information. Take proactive steps to ask if guests need anything or offer additional services without waiting to be asked.

5. ACTIVE LISTENING

Engagement: Listen actively, nodding appropriately to demonstrate understanding and attentiveness. Reaffirm guest statements by using paraphrasing—this confirms you have understood and values their words. If unsure, politely ask for clarification in a non-confrontational manner. Use phrases such as, “Could you please elaborate on that?” to show interest without coming off as presumptuous.

6. SERVING TECHNIQUES

When serving food or beverages, present items elegantly, maintaining a graceful posture as you serve. Hold items at a comfortable height and angle for the guest, ensuring they can easily receive them. Monitor the timing of your service; ensure that dishes are served promptly at the appropriate temperature and that guests’ glasses are filled regularly without being intrusive.

Serving under royalty or in the high-end hospitality sector demands a meticulous approach to behaviour, speech, body language and cleanliness. By cultivating a strong sense of professionalism, attentiveness, and sincere hospitality, one can embody the principles of excellent service, enriching every guest’s experience.

CONCLUSION

Embracing discipline, routine, cleanliness and order in EVERY area of our lives, we not only feel happier and content because of Yahusha’s favour, we are also opening ourselves up to serving and loving Him by making ourselves and our homes READY EVERY DAY for the unknown, the spectacular and the miraculous supernatural!

AS YAHUSHA’S SERVANTS IN OUR QUARRIES/COMMUNITIES ARE WE TO ADOPT THIS BEHAVIOUR OF LOVING HOSPITALITY TOWARDS EACH OTHER? REAL SERVANTS MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO SERVE.

A real servant does not fill their time up with other pursuits, desires and hobbies that will limit their availability to serve. We need to be ready and available to serve Yahusha when He moves (by the wind of His Spirit) at any time, even when it may be most inconvenient. (No such thing as ‘inconvenient’ for a love-slave!)

REAL SERVANTS PAY ATTENTION TO NEEDS.

A real servant is always on the lookout for needs and for ways they can help meet those needs. When we find a need we are to give it preference and not put it off until we feel like doing it. We are to hear Yahusha’s Instruction and do it His way, and not our own way or in our own time!

REAL SERVANTS DO THEIR BEST WITH WHAT THEY HAVE.

A real servant does not make excuses, procrastinate (wait until tomorrow) or wait for better circumstances. We need to do the best we can to help out with every resource and energy Yahusha has given us.

REAL SERVANTS DO EVERY TASK WITH EQUAL DEDICATION.

A real servant does every task with all their heart. We cannot fall into the trap of thinking that we are too important to help out with any task, no matter how menial they may seem. Yahusha was an amazing example of someone who did the tasks of a servant, whether it was washing feet or helping/serving others.

REAL SERVANTS ARE FAITHFUL TO THEIR CALLING.

A real servant will finish their tasks, fulfil their responsibilities and complete their commitments before going onto anything else. Yahusha is the centre and most important person to them and pleasing Him through their service to others is what they live for and set up their whole lives to achieve. We need to be dependable. When we say we are going to do something, we need to do it! Promptly and faithfully!

REAL SERVANTS MAINTAIN A LOW PROFILE.

A real servant will not call attention to themself or promote themself. We need to do what we are called to do with humility and look for eternal rewards, not rewards from others. This is where our contentment and joy will spring from, knowing within that people enjoy the fruits of our labour, which is our private worship and adoration to Yahusha, Who gives us great satisfaction.

YAHUSHA STARTS FROM NOTHING - SO LET’S START PRACTICING !