Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
In today’s verse we have no words that we can use for a deeper look through a word study. It does not even mention humility in the verse. But we see Jesus speaking to His disciples in response to James and John asking for positions of authority with Him as He wraps up a teaching on servant leadership. Within that context, we find today’s verse which redefines greatness as humble service and self-sacrifice rather than power or status.
Can you imagine what the disciples must have thought when Jesus said this to them? The King they had hoped would come to liberate them from oppression said He came to serve? Here they were arguing over positions in His coming kingdom and He tells them He was there to serve instead. Talk about changing the focus of the conversation.
We have the opportunity to look back on events and see the bigger picture, but they didn’t. They still didn’t even understand exactly what He was telling them at this point. We see how He gave Himself, died in our place for our sins, and then conquered death and liberated us all from the consequences of sin and death. But they were still living through it all, completely unaware of exactly how things would play out. And He was emphasizing service instead of authority. He was telling them that humility was greater than power.
How would you have responded? Better yet, what is your response now, knowing what you know? Are you living a life of humble service to others or are you still placing yourself in the center? We have His life as an example. He loved everyone so wholly and completely that He gave His own life for us. There is no position more important, no role more authoritative, no action more expressive than the one done in humble submission.
We need to step out of the spotlight and into the position of humble servant and live a life He would approve of. Let your life serve others rather than serving self.
Prayer: Lord, I give myself to You in humble surrender to be used as a servant. Use me to serve others and humbly bring You all the glory and honor. Amen
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