Now the Arameans had captured in a raid on the land of Israel a little girl, who became the servant of Naaman’s wife. “If only my master would present himself to the prophet in Samaria,” she said to her mistress, “he would cure him of his leprosy.” Naaman went and told his lord just what the slave girl from the land of Israel had said. “Go,” said the king of Aram. “I will send along a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman set out, taking along ten silver talents, six thousand gold pieces, and ten festal garments. To the king of Israel he brought the letter, which read: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kgs 5:2-6)

In the wonderful film, THE HELP, Aibilene, the black servant, has a message of salvation for the little white girl in her care: “You is kind, you is smart, you is important.” In the Bible, the servants are important. As Jesus reminds us, “I am among you as the one who serves.” (Lk 22:27)