Even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 KJV
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 NASB
Contention and strife filled the air. The request of James and John, the unapologetic quest for place and prominence, had revealed the secret pride in the hearts of the other disciples. Mark tells us that the ten were “much displeased with James and John.” What an understatement. Pride in the hearts of two showed that there was pride in the hearts of ten.
How did the Lord Jesus respond to this tidal wave of pride which was sweeping across the company? “Even the Son of Man!” Even One, destined for such a place of honour, was a servant among men.
The title, Son of Man, expresses at least two things. Recall that as Son of God, He expressed all that God is. As the image of God, in Him, we see all that God is. As the Son of Man, we see all that God intended a man to be. Here then is the perfect Man! But the title also points forward to a day when He will not only display all that man was ever meant to be, but He will have the dominion which God intended man to have (Gen 1, 2). As Son of Man, He will reign over the earth.
Think then again of our verse. The One Man, Who alone was the perfect Man, came to serve. The Man Who is the Heir apparent to all came as a servant. Please do not think that He assumed servant-guise for a period of time. This is His character eternally. He has a servant’s heart and mind. His service was marked by total selflessness. He did not serve others so that they might, in turn, serve Him. He never manipulated others by His service. He served freely, faithfully, and fruitfully. The ultimate of His service is given to us here: He gave Himself. In the giving of Himself, He could give nothing more. Nothing was held back.
Consider:
- The Lord Jesus was never a servant of men. He was the Servant of Jehovah and served His interests; but His interests were that this Servant serves those whom the Master loved – you and me.
- In what way will the Lord Jesus continue to serve eternally? In what manner will that affect us eternally?
- Was there ever a time, even in eternity past, that the Lord Jesus did not have a servant mind?
- Since the Lord Jesus “gave Himself,” what implication does this have on the teaching of “limited atonement?” Could the Lord Jesus have paid any additional price at Calvary?