For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
There are some verses in the Bible that feel like holy ground—words that take us straight into the heart of Jesus. Mark 10:45 is one. In one sentence, Jesus reveals both the purpose of His coming and the posture He calls us to adopt.
James and John had asked our Lord for the two greatest positions of power and honour in His kingdom, and the other disciples were angry with them (Mark 10:35-41)! For all His disciples were caught up with worldly ideas of greatness that involve exercising authority over others and lording over them (Mark 10:42). Jesus took the opportunity to teach that true greatness is found in humility and servanthood (Mark 10:43-44). He Himself modelled this and came to serve mankind and gave Himself as a ransom for us (Mark 10:45).
To understand Mark 10:45, we need to understand who “the Son of Man” is. Jesus often used it to refer to Himself. While it affirms His humanity, it also identifies Him as the glorious and divine Person in Daniel 7:13-14, who is given all authority, glory and power, whose dominion is everlasting, and who is to be worshipped by all! Jesus alluded to this in Mark 8:38 and 14:62. In other words, Jesus is not only truly man, but He is also truly God!
The point of Mark 10:45 is that even such a great and glorious and powerful One as the Son of Man, the all-glorious God and King, Jesus Himself, came not expecting to be served, but to serve. The One who created the world with a word did not arrive demanding to be honoured. Instead, He was born in a dirty manger, walked on dusty roads, touched the broken, healed the sick, delivered the demonised, associated with the rejects and outcasts of society, and washed the feet of His own disciples, including those who would fail Him. Yet He went on to give His life as a ransom for them, and for all mankind. He died on our behalf to free us from slavery to sin and the devil!
Since Jesus did this, serving mankind at the cost of His Own life, then His disciples are expected to follow His example and serve one another and make sacrifices for one another rather than jostle for positions of power and honour! True greatness is marked by humility, servanthood and sacrificing for the sake of others. We, as His disciples today, are called to this too.
Reflection and Application
As we look forward to a new year, we may hold to the belief that greatness is found in success, influence and visibility. But Jesus teaches us that true greatness is found in serving others and meeting their needs, sacrificially, humbly, often unnoticed and in unglamorous ways. When we serve and give ourselves away for others in this manner, we will reflect Jesus’ heart and become more like Him. Greatness is not found in climbing higher, but in bending lower. It is found in freedom from pride and arrogance, and from the need to prove ourselves.
As you seek to love the Lord more, how might He be inviting you to imitate His servant heart in your home, your Cell Group, your school or workplace? And who will you serve this week?
DAILY MEDITATIONS:
Monday: Mark 10:43-44
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
Tuesday: John 13:14-15
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Wednesday: Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Thursday: Philippians 2:5-8
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Friday: Matthew 23:11-12
The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Saturday: Matthew 25:34-36, 40
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’… ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Sunday: Galatians 5:13-14
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Unless otherwise stated, all scriptures are quoted from the New International Version
By Pastor Yong Tai Tong
