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 10:45
I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark. Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:32-45. Excerpts from the commentary's fourth (of four) division (v45):
- The title of the fourth division per the commentary is "Consider Christ When Being a Servant."
- "There is no thought in the Bible that the ransom was paid to Satan. At the cross Satan received only one thing: his defeat and ruin. Also, the price Christ paid was not taken from Him." See John 10:18.
- "“For even” emphasizes the remarkable humility and service of One who should by all rights be honored and served. The “Son of Man” title (Daniel 7:13) is wed to “ransom for many” language (Isaiah 53:12), which radically redefines who and what Messiah would be. He is a suffering Messiah, a servant Messiah. The man for all men, the Man from heaven, the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve."
- "We needed a ransom because we had all gladly and willingly sold ourselves into the bondage of slavery to sin. When He purchased us, our slave masters—sin, death, hell, and Satan—had to set us free!" See 1 Peter 1:18-21.
- "The greatest and best person who ever lived and walked on this earth was a humble servant. He got down low so that He might lift others up. He, as Philippians 2:3 says, “consider[ed] others as more important than [Himself],” all the way to the death of the cross. And now He calls us, those who follow Him, to do the same."
- 'If we are going to do the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way, we must take Jesus’ teaching seriously: He does not want us to press on to the greatest place unless he himself makes it impossible to do otherwise. . . . If we have the world’s mentality of wanting the foremost place, we are not qualified for Christian leadership.' Commentary quoting No Little People, Francis Schaeffer.
The core of Christian leadership is the inverse to much of our worldly leadership where the focus is on self-glory. Love God, and love others. For those in leadership, the greater accountability there is to remain humble and to serve others. See also Philippians 2:3.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who saves - serving all of humanity above Yourself. Thank You for being the final sacrifice for sins - taking upon Yourself the penalty I should have paid. I am not deserving of my salvation. 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 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.
