But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:32-45

But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 10:32-45, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus knows that He will be killed and yet continues His Father's plan to teach and minister to the twelve and to the lost who seek to be found and saved.  Jesus is fearless - He willingly walks towards His own death (v33).  Jesus is humble.  He loves God the Father more than He loves Himself and as an expression of God's love for humanity and His own desire to please God, Jesus loves others more than Himself - therefore He offers His life "as a ransom for many" (v45).  Jesus is obedient.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: James and John seek to share Jesus' glory - acting selfishly (v35).  They also over-emphasize their own power and will over that of Jesus - again selfishly seeking something that is not aligned with the Father's will - Jesus slightly rebukes them (vv38, 40).  While the other disciples appear aligned with Jesus, they also act selfishly and Jesus rebukes all of the disciples exhorting them to serve and be humble as He is (vv42-45).  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid selfishness and instead focus on God's will and desires.  The eternal life that Jesus speaks of in v34 is the same eternal life we are promised in John 3:16. We must be humble and serve as Jesus does - vv44-45.     

Today's world emphasizes self-glory over God's glory - social media is one of the best examples of this as people promote themselves.  Not that self promotion in itself is bad - but it becomes an end in itself or an idol.  Believers must acknowledge that we exist to bring all praise, honor and glory to God - not to ourselves.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who saves.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.