April 30: Believing His Salvation.
HIS RANSOM.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."--Mark 10:45
I remember my anticipation as I walked into the classroom. It was the first day of class with this New Testament professor. But little did I know how this class, focused on the four Gospels, would change my life and my ministry. Without introduction, the professor started to read: "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:42-45).
HIs reading made a profound impact on my mind. For some reason I had never paid much attention to the larger context of this key verse of the Gospel of Mark (10:45). Jesus teaches his disciples that they should not be lording it over people. His words came in response to an argument that broke among the disciples because James and John had been seeking the best positions in the upcoming kingdom, the nature of which they clearly did not understand. These clueless disciples, guided by their selfish hearts, were prideful and power-hungry, yet Jesus, the tender loving Jesus, always showed them a better way by His own example. On that particular day, the Master taught His followers that the way to the kingdom of God is radically different than the world's authority structure. Servants are considered great, and slaves are counted as first. And Jesus, God in the flesh, is not only our example but, most importantly, our Savior. After three predictions of His death in this Gospel (8:31; 9:31; 10:33), Jesus clearly and unequivocally announces that He did not come to be served but to serve humanity. And not only that! He would give His life as a ransom for many! Yes, we have been ransomed for the high price of the blood of the Son of God! And the "many" includes you and me! Now that our ransom has been paid, we are free to love and to serve.
My Response:________________________________________________________
HIS RANSOM.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."--Mark 10:45
I remember my anticipation as I walked into the classroom. It was the first day of class with this New Testament professor. But little did I know how this class, focused on the four Gospels, would change my life and my ministry. Without introduction, the professor started to read: "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:42-45).
HIs reading made a profound impact on my mind. For some reason I had never paid much attention to the larger context of this key verse of the Gospel of Mark (10:45). Jesus teaches his disciples that they should not be lording it over people. His words came in response to an argument that broke among the disciples because James and John had been seeking the best positions in the upcoming kingdom, the nature of which they clearly did not understand. These clueless disciples, guided by their selfish hearts, were prideful and power-hungry, yet Jesus, the tender loving Jesus, always showed them a better way by His own example. On that particular day, the Master taught His followers that the way to the kingdom of God is radically different than the world's authority structure. Servants are considered great, and slaves are counted as first. And Jesus, God in the flesh, is not only our example but, most importantly, our Savior. After three predictions of His death in this Gospel (8:31; 9:31; 10:33), Jesus clearly and unequivocally announces that He did not come to be served but to serve humanity. And not only that! He would give His life as a ransom for many! Yes, we have been ransomed for the high price of the blood of the Son of God! And the "many" includes you and me! Now that our ransom has been paid, we are free to love and to serve.
My Response:________________________________________________________
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