Theme for this month: Jesus in the Four Gospels
Theme for this week: Jesus in the Gospel of Mark
December 1, 2021 (Wednesday)a
Jesus said, “..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 NIV).
The term “servant leadership” was coined by Robert Greenleaf a few decades back. Genuine “servant leadership” characterized the ministry of Jesus. Mark viewed Jesus as servant first, then leader. Jesus taught His disciples to adopt that view of leadership.
James and John requested prominent places in Jesus’ kingdom, but Jesus called all the disciples together and told them that becoming servants is God’s way. In the future, they would find serving others preferable to lordship over them. They would eventually discover the awesome truth that God’s way of servanthood is the best way for God’s people to live.
Jesus had all power available to him, yet His example is that of a gentle servant. Pastor Scott L. Harris says, “In following Jesus’ example we find that attaining positions of worldly power does not define success for a Christian. Even when God does put a Christian in such a position, success is not determined by having the position and power but in being a faithful servant of the omnipotent God. Jesus never attained any position of worldly power and He never sought such a position. Jesus was God’s chosen servant who was merciful, gentle, meek, quiet, and sympathetic. He was also unlimited as to whom He would minister as God’s representative.”
Jesus did serve people in many ways as seen in the many miracles He performed for the benefit of others. His very personal miracles of casting out demons, physical healing and raising the dead are the most obvious. However, the ultimate way in which Jesus would glorify the Father by service to the world was in giving His life on the Cross as our Savior.
The Jewish people looked for the Messiah to lead an army against the cruel Romans, establish a throne in Jerusalem and rule the nations there. They expected Him to arrive in Jerusalem riding a big, white stallion and holding a huge sword. But He arrived on a little donkey, on a trail of palm branches, with a message of peace for all mankind. He came as a servant who would suffer for our sins (Isaiah 53) and provide eternal salvation.
JESUS PAID IT ALL
Author: Elvina M. Hall
1885
1 I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
2 Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone. [Refrain]
3 For nothing good have I
Where-by Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb. [Refrain]
4 And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall still repeat. [Refrain]