What servanthood looks like
Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.” When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:23-28
From our text, Jesus told His disciples the purpose of His coming. He came to give His life as “a ransom for many.” He is portrayed as a “Servant.” In v. 28, Jesus said, “...the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others.” He lived in this world in obedience to the Father’s will and demonstrated His obedience by serving others. His service is through His death on the cross. He needed to fulfill His purpose of His coming for it is only in His sacrifice on the cross that sins will be forgiven. By doing so, Jesus served the Father by paying the ransom so we can be freed from sin and He did this through His blood shed on the cross. Just think about the implication and what this means. Jesus gave up everything and His glory when He came down from heaven. He suffered on our behalf so He could provide us freedom from being taken captive by sin. “...they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin” (John 8:33-34). Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring us to a relationship with Him. Jesus took on Himself every bit of our sin. He went through the injustice of dying on the cross for our sin. He served by being obedient to the Father’s will. Instead of us going through punishment because of sin, He took it to Himself the punishment we deserved. In order for you to be benefited in what He did at the cross, you have to ask Him for forgiveness and receive Him into your life. Once you do this, you will realize that He is not only your Lord and Savior, but you will also realize the example He sets for you. So recognize that once you receive Him in your life as Lord and Savior, you are called upon to serve others by following His example. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
