Sunday: The Mastery of Social Distinctions
WEEK 10
SUNDAY
THE MASTERY OF SOCIAL DISTINCTIONS
Matthew 20:25-28
We pass on now to study another mastery that came with the coming of the Holy Spirit—the mastery of social distinctions. Peter quoted the prophecy as having fulfillment in the coming of the Holy Spirit:
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people, . . .
Even upon my servants, men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy. (Acts 2:17–18)
Note the Holy Spirit was to come upon “servants, men and women,” and they were to prophesy. These were not servants of God as we usually interpret them; but they were servants of people, in fact slaves. On the men slaves and women slaves the Spirit would be poured, and they would find a new occupation—they would prophesy, forthtell the good news.
Note the tender pronoun “my servants, men and women.” When God speaks of the “accepted” classes, he uses “your sons and your daughters”; but when God speaks of the socially dispossessed, he uses “my servants, men and women.” They were especially God’s. And he introduces this section with special emphasis—“Even.”
The mightiest movement for social freedom was being inaugurated, and it was done very unobtrusively and very effectively. The method was not to argue the equal rights of persons and to introduce social reforms from that basis. It was not a head-on attack; it was a flanking movement. The male and female servants were given God’s highest gift, the Holy Spirit, on the same basis as the higher social classes, those who owned or employed these lower classes. If God’s highest gift was open to them, then who could deny the lesser gifts of freedom and status? It was a deathblow to caste and class, and delivered so gently that many did not feel its impact till years later.
Not only was their status changed by receiving the same gift as their masters; their occupations too were changed—they prophesied; they forthtold the good news, the highest occupation given to humanity—preaching.
Dear Lord, O gently breaking our chains; but you are breaking them. We feel this new freedom coursing in our veins. We are free in you. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: As far as I am concerned, social distinctions are gone; I see a person for whom Christ died.