“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45)
Jesus emphatically says he did not come to be served. The implication from this is that, if we serve Jesus we are dishonoring him and rather sinning. Jesus came to serve and not to be served. So we should NOT serve Jesus because he delights to work for those who wait for him (Isa 64:4). Jesus takes delight in working for those who belong to him. He is not served (Acts 17:26). He made us, he will carry us and save us so that the glory will be to him and not to us (Isaiah 46:3–5; Rom 11:36). Jesus does not want to be served, he desires to serve.
If Jesus does not want to be served and it is dishonoring to serve him, how can we then obey the commands to serve (Ps 2:11; 100:2; Jer 30:9; Rom 12:11)? If we are commanded to serve, and yet we are told that Jesus came not to be served, then there must be a way of serving that is NOT serving. How can we serve him and not dishonor him or serve such that he is the one serving? Peter instructs us how we can serve such that Jesus is the one serving. “Whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet 4:11). According to Peter, the way to serve such that Jesus remains our Servant is to serve by receiving. We serve Jesus by allowing him to serve us or receiving all the grace to serve from him and allowing this grace to work through us (1 Cor 15:10). Only this kind of service brings glory to Jesus. Serving this way means a holy dependence on him in prayer and acknowledging that without him we can do nothing. Let us serve by being served.
1 comment:
A push-back,
"the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve..."
This happened in the past. It is not specified whether it has future implications or not (I believe the Greek backs me up with aorist). Your point hinges on the fact that the situation has not changed.
It also seems this service is linked with giving His life as ransom. Since that has happened and does not continue to happen, it's not so clear that Jesus is still not to be served.
In fact, it is never clear. Just because Jesus' purpose in coming was not to be served but to serve, this does not mean He is never to be served. Jesus wouldn't bring it up unless there was some cause to serve Him.
Jesus is addressing the sons of Zebedee, who just asked to have exalted positions "in your glory". He contrasts how Gentile rulers hold authority over their subjects with how it should be among the disciples. He paints himself as the ultimate example, the first, the slave to all. Jesus isn't addressing how we should relate specifically to Him, He's using His own example to talk about how we should behave toward everyone. It doesn't lend itself to a reading which states Jesus is not to be served. It is saying Jesus is the best servant. While he didn't come purposing that we would serve Him, He does not say we shouldn't.
I agree with the thrust of your post, namely that we should do our good works to give glory to our Father, who is in heaven.
Interesting too is the division of the twelve. "The ten" are referred to in verse 41, and it's striking to hear them split like this. The eleven sounds odd too.
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