Jonathan Munson, Executive Director, RFTH
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life away as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
As a former worship pastor, Easter Sunday has always been one of my favorite services of the year…and rightfully so. Easter is like ‘Superbowl Sunday’ for the Church! I know it’s only Tuesday, but I’m already excited just thinking about Sunday’s celebration. Aren’t you?
As we all look forward to Easter this year, I challenge you (and myself) to approach Sunday’s service differently. Think about this:
You see, a ‘service’ isn’t just supposed to be an event we attend. For followers of Jesus, ‘service’ should describe how we live. And one of the best ways we can demonstrate the truthfulness of the Resurrection is by living a life in service to others.
Take another look at what Jesus says in today’s key verse. He came “not to be served, but to serve and to give His life away” (Mark 10:45).
To fully grasp the significance of Jesus’ words, we need to understand their context. Let’s unpack the ‘when’ and ‘why’ of this astonishing statement.
When?
Jesus spoke these words when He was on His way to Jerusalem, where He knew He would be condemned, mocked, spit on, flogged, and brutally killed (Mark 10:34). On the cross, Jesus would “give His life away” until He had nothing else to give. So, Jesus didn’t just talk about serving others; He lived it…until His dying breath.
Why?
Mark 10:45 is the last part of Jesus’ answer to a question. Imagine the scene. Moments after Jesus predicted His own death and resurrection, James and John swooped in and asked if He could save them a seat next to His heavenly throne (Mark 10:32). Talk about being insensitive! Apparently, the brothers were so focused on their quest for greatness that they completely missed what Jesus had just told them. In no uncertain terms, Jesus reminded them, “Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant” (Mark 10:43).
Let’s be honest.
There’s a little bit of James and John inside all of us, isn’t there? Our natural inclination is not to serve but to be served. We instinctively want our needs met before we meet someone else’s needs. And sure, we desire to make Jesus’ name great, but we also hope that somewhere along the way, He’ll make our name great, too.
Yes, just like James and John, we need to remember that serving others is a non-negotiable component of following Jesus.
Every day, we’re called to wake up and lay our lives down, not necessarily in some big, dramatic way, but in simple, ordinary acts of service. I don’t know what this may look like in your life, so I’ll let the Spirit lead you.
Ask yourself this simple question-
Who is the Spirit prompting me to serve today?
Nothing I can say will make you serve the people in your church, your home, your office, or your surrounding community. My words cannot change your heart or actions. Your heart will only change as you truly understand how the “Son of Man” served you.
As the “Son of Man,” Jesus possessed unrivaled sovereignty and everlasting dominion (See Daniel 7:13,14). And yet, the King of kings did not come to be applauded. Charles Swindoll explains that Jesus “never once demanded that anyone bow to Him…He did not come to be pampered and indulged. He came to serve, to give His life, and to die.”
As His followers, we’re also called to lay down our lives not just in His service, but also in service to others.
When we serve those around us, we become the hands and feet of Jesus, reflecting His heart in a broken world.
I hope you have a wonderful Easter service on Sunday. Go with a smile upon your face and a song in your heart. And my friends, shout for joy! Because Jesus has conquered sin and death.
Most of all, I pray the service will compel you to serve others.
If that happens, then it will truly be an extraordinary (but not your typical) Easter service.
“Every time we deny ourselves in order to serve someone else, we grow in Christ.”
-David Jeremiah
DIG DEEPER
Read “The Blessing of Serving Others” also by Bryant Wright
