Jesus Paid it All

Introduction:

Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve. His disciples were to serve each other. They were to serve all people…including non-Christians. In this service, they would drink the cup of whatever suffering it would cost. It could cost. If this verse were the only message of Christianity – it would not be good news. 10:44 is not a call to serve Jesus. It is a call to learn how to be served by Jesus. Our God does not need our service. He is not glorified by recruits who want to help Him out. Almighty God is so full, so self sufficient, so overflowing in power, life, and joy, that He brings glory to Himself by serving us.

I. Jesus wants to serve us.

A.     Everything Jesus commands something for us to do, it is His way of telling us how He wants to serve us.

B.     When we became a Christian, a disciple of Jesus, we did not become His helper.

1.     Jesus did not hang out a “help wanted” sign…he hung out a “help available” sign.

2.     We do not become His benefactor. He became our benefactor.

3.     Jesus does not need your help. He commands obedience and offers His help.

C.     This is why humility is a basic fundamental of Christianity.

1.     We admit we need help.

2.     When we do this, Jesus will become our servant.

3.     He will equip us to do His work of serving others.

D.     Jesus is the servant King. We walk in His shadow. We must stay on the path of faith & love.

II. A Contradiction?

A.     What about Romans 1:1?  Paul calls himself a servant of Christ.

1.     Not a contradiction of Mark 10:45.

2.     John 13:16 – even Jesus called us servants in other contexts.

B.     We are servants in that we willingly surrender to His authority & His right to tell us whatever He pleases.

C.     We are not His servants in the sense that Jesus needs our help. He is not dependent upon us.

III. God gives all men everything.

A.     Acts 17:25 - We do not supply the needs of God.

B.     We have nothing of value that is not already His. We cannot serve Him.

C.     All we can do is submit to His offer to become our servant.

IV. A last look at Mark 10:45

A.     Jesus gave His life intentionally.

1.     He came to do it. Not by accident…plot of Jews…etc.

2.     Hebrews 2:14 states reason clearly.

B.     Mark 10:33-34 – Jesus came to die.

1.     10:45 tells us why.

C.     10:45 – why is His death called a ransom?

D.     Ransomed from what?

1.     John 8:34 – we were under the power of sin. Before coming to Jesus, we were slaves of sin and needed to be ransomed from its power.

2.     Matthew 25:46 – penalty we faced: eternal death.

E.     How did He ransom us?

1.     Ransom price was His life. Romans 5:8-10; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18

Conclusion:

A.     Are you in the many?

B.     Are you still under the guilt/power of sin?