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The Master was completely selfless as the sent servant.
Mark 10:45 "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
That statement has fuller meaning when meditated upon in the light of who He is: the Son of Man, Messiah, Anointed One, King, Master, the one upon whose shoulders the final government must rest - He came not to be served, but to serve. The word "come" speaks of existence before He came, reminding us of the glory He had with the Father. Furthermore, He came from that glory with the loving purpose He had in the glory, to serve and save fallen man.
In coming to serve, not to be served, He came as the self-emptied one. He did not come to fulfill some selfish ambition, not to look out for His own well-being. His consuming purpose was to serve the purposes of God the Father; to glorify Him and establish the kingdom of God. Sent of the Father, He is the perfect servant of the Father.
That serving and seeking of the Father's glory unveiled the heart of God, for He came "to give His life a ransom for many"(Matthew 20:28 ). He served the heart-longing, passionate desire of the Godhead to be man's Ransom, Redeemer, Healer and Restorer. What a revelation of a serving God who gave the serving Son of man. The declaration of the Servant-King is even better understood in the narrative that gave rise to it, and the incident of service that follows it.
He was going to Jerusalem and the cross and resurrection. The detailed prediction to His disciples; of His being delivered up for trial, being condemned to death, handed over to Gentiles for execution, being mocked, beaten, spat upon, the third day to rise again, leave it transparently clear that He knew every step of His road of service, and its personal cost. True service is always costly to the one who serves.
He taught James and John that the way to share His glory was to share his suffering. Asked if they could drink His cup and take His baptism of suffering, they with courage said, "We are able" (Mark 10:39 ). No matter what our views are of their answer, Jesus received it as sincere and said they would drink His cup and partake of His baptism. The place at His right hand would be given to "those for whom it is prepared" ( Mark 10:40 ).
An incredible promise is made to victorious kingdom sons by the enthroned Lord.
Those who victoriously serve as the servants of God will ultimately share in the government of the creation. Sent ones who with courage accept the path of His service that includes the heavy toll of personal suffering, can be sure of His approval, admiration and assistance. For though His was a lonely path, that which His sent ones tread would never be trodden alone, He would always be alongside by His Spirit, to help.
He taught the ten disciples who were displeased with James and John, that greatness in the kingdom is not exercising authority, but serving others. He presented His own example as Messiah-King come to serve and give His life. The sent ones must not be seeking positions of power, but rather opportunities of serving.
Persistent, blind Bartimaeus cried for mercy. I do not think we should without thought, condemn the disciples for trying to stop Bartimaeus from demanding the help of Jesus. They were aware through the Master's sharing that He was treading a path of personal crisis, facing the cross, and they were trying to spare Him. But He who came to serve and not to be served, could not spare Himself. He lived up to His declaration and teaching, called for the blind man and healed him. What a lesson for those whom He sends as He was sent. In the darkest human hours the King and His kingdom come in the selfless service of His kingdom sons.
To live up to the King's standard for service we need to:
Like Him, befriend sinners (Matthew 11:19; 9:13 ). Like Him, be a physician to the sick (Mark 2:17 ). Like Him, refresh the weary and heavy laden (Matthew 11:28 ). Like Him, bless the children (Matthew 19:15 ). Like Him, bring good tidings to the poor (Luke 4:18 ). Like Him, wash the feet of others (John 13:12 ).We are called to fellowship with Him in costly but rewarding kingdom service.