Service Is Greatness
For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
Jesus said, “Whoever would be great … must be servant and whoever would be first … must be slave.” (Mark 10:44) This came in response to the request from two of his disciples to be given places of honour with him. He then went on to point out that even he must serve. When Jesus was recognised as the Son of God, and his consequent greatness was noted, it was naturally expected that such greatness would be reflected in his habits and habitation. But instead of princely habitation his place of birth was a stable. And now, instead of putting up his feet and being served ‘breakfast in bed’, he declared that, to the contrary, he would be serving others.
Jesus said, “Whoever would be great … must be servant and whoever would be first … must be slave.” (Mark 10:44) This came in response to the request from two of his disciples to be given places of honour with him. He then went on to point out that even he must serve. When Jesus was recognised as the Son of God, and his consequent greatness was noted, it was naturally expected that such greatness would be reflected in his habits and habitation. But instead of princely habitation his place of birth was a stable. And now, instead of putting up his feet and being served ‘breakfast in bed’, he declared that, to the contrary, he would be serving others.
Why would Jesus make such a declaration? In the first place, his was a life of example. He taught by example, and if he wanted us to serve others, it meant that he would demonstrate this by first doing it himself. He was humble and so he did not want others to serve him. And because of his humility he knew he needed to serve others.
Secondly, he came with a specific mission. That mission was to become a human sacrifice on behalf of the world. As such he was being of ultimate service to humanity.
He would be shedding his greatness (as the world understands greatness) and taking on a disposition of surrender. The ‘prince’ would be ridiculed, spat upon, beaten, put to shame, and, finally, cruelly killed. But he was prepared to receive all of this because of his mission.
Thirdly, he not only knew what his mission was, but he knew how important it was. Therefore he endured the shame for the sake of those for whom he came. His service was the ultimate because he gave his life. With his life he paid the penalty of sin for us all – way into the future. Today we can understand why he claimed such servitude.
Your response should be both gratitude and imitation. You ought to be thankful for his service to humanity such that we have been redeemed from destruction. And you ought to follow his example of service as you live day by day. You need to see that true greatness lies in service to others.
Prayer: We thank you, O Lord, for your service to us in giving yourself for us, thus providing for our salvation. We thank you for he perfect example of service, and ask that you may lead us to follow this example. Help us to be great by being your servants. Amen.
Secondly, he came with a specific mission. That mission was to become a human sacrifice on behalf of the world. As such he was being of ultimate service to humanity.
He would be shedding his greatness (as the world understands greatness) and taking on a disposition of surrender. The ‘prince’ would be ridiculed, spat upon, beaten, put to shame, and, finally, cruelly killed. But he was prepared to receive all of this because of his mission.
Thirdly, he not only knew what his mission was, but he knew how important it was. Therefore he endured the shame for the sake of those for whom he came. His service was the ultimate because he gave his life. With his life he paid the penalty of sin for us all – way into the future. Today we can understand why he claimed such servitude.
Your response should be both gratitude and imitation. You ought to be thankful for his service to humanity such that we have been redeemed from destruction. And you ought to follow his example of service as you live day by day. You need to see that true greatness lies in service to others.
Prayer: We thank you, O Lord, for your service to us in giving yourself for us, thus providing for our salvation. We thank you for he perfect example of service, and ask that you may lead us to follow this example. Help us to be great by being your servants. Amen.
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