Served by Jesus

Introduction:

Let’s take a close look at Mark 10:35-40. When James/John made their request, they got one thing right: Sit in your glory…is a good thing to know. Most everything else, James/John got wrong. If the disciples wanted to rule w/Jesus in glory, they must be willing to follow Jesus into suffering & death. Desire to be great in the kingdom? Must endure suffering. Want to get in on greatness? You must become a servant. Want to be first? Must be a slave of all.

I. What is a slave of all (10:44)?

A.     Jesus tells us what it means to be a “slave of all” in 10:45.

1.     Jesus’ death is an example of the kind of suffering and service disciples are called to do.

2.     Those who make the commitment to be like Him will suffer. See Matthew 7:14; Mark 8:34.

B.     I want to challenge you on your perspective on Mark 10:45.

1.     This passage is not just a call to serve Jesus, it is a call to be served by Jesus.

2.     The good news of Christianity is that the call to discipleship is not a call to serve Jesus, but to be served by Jesus as we serve others, and to be ransomed by Him from death.

C.     There is more.

1.     Jesus is not just saying, “serve the way I serve.”

                                              a.     He says He lives to serve.  He serves us.

                                             b.     By ransoming us from sin/death

                                              c.     By insisting on being our servant & savior in this life.

II. Jesus called disciples, not servants.

A.     10:45 – Jesus did not come to be served.

1.     In our relationship with Him, He is the servant. He serves us. He works for us.

2.     10:39b could the disciples have drunk this cup & endured the suffering of this baptism without His help?

B.     Consider John 15:5 - Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing.

III. A Demand and a Promise

A.     In our text, Jesus demanded something & promised something.

1.     He demands our life.  All of it. Luke 14:33. Hard.

B.     Might say impossible.  (Mark 10:23-27)

1.     10:23-27 - might be impossible if it were not for God.

C.     10:38-40 – would be impossible if it weren’t for Jesus serving us day & night. 

D.    Mark 10:45 is what turns the gospel into good news.

E.     He came to give His life as a ransom.

1.     He came to serve His disciples

2.     He is all the help and power we need. He is our Redeemer

Conclusion:

A.     Will you let Jesus serve you?