The Suffering Servant
Part 2 of the “GOAT” Message Series
35 James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came up to Him. “Teacher, we have something we want You to do for us.” 36 “What is it? I’ll see what I can do.” 37 “Arrange it,” they said, “so that we will be awarded the highest places of honor in Your glory—one of us at Your right, the other at Your left.” 38 Jesus said, “You have no idea what you’re asking. Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink, of being baptized in the baptism I’m about to be plunged into?” 39-40 “Sure,” they said. “Why not?” Jesus said, “Come to think of it, you will drink the cup I drink, and be baptized in My baptism. But as to awarding places of honor, that’s not My business. There are other arrangements for that.”
41-45 When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your servant. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away His life in exchange for many who are held hostage.” – Mark 10:35-45 (MSG)
The BIG Idea
Jesus is powerful, but doesn’t yield His miraculous abilities to gain political or religious power with the cultural elites; instead He models servant leadership for us – to the point of death on the cross. Those who trust in Jesus have the same God to face temptation with each day and model servant leadership to all they encounter as well.
Jesus is not on the trajectory to become an earthly king.
Humankind has a tendency to be a proud people, even when it comes to faith.
Our purpose should be to live fully submitted to God’s purposes in and through our lives.
We were created to serve.
Let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant . . . but I am among you as one who serves. – Luke 22:26-27 (NASB)
In Thy presence is fullness of joy, and at Thy right hand are pleasures forever. – Psalm 16:11 (KJV)
Serving grows our character.
Serving reminds us of who we are.
Among the heathen . . . each minor official lords it over those beneath him. But among you it is quite different. Anyone wanting to be a leader among you must be your servant . . . Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve. – Matthew 20:25 (TLB)
*God does not exist for our purposes. We exist for the purposes of God. We are also not to worship God for results. We worship God because God is God.
Serving opens the provision of God.
But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. - Matthew 16:33 (KJV)
We can’t pay the ransom to save our own souls.
When we are followers of Jesus, we bare the image of the one true King.
And he will speak against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in time and in law. – Daniel 7:25 (NASB)
*See Daniel 7
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits. – Psalm 103:1-2 (NASB)
There is NO greater title than that of “servant” in the Kingdom of God.
Remember, Jesus has never been able to fill anyone who is full of themselves.
Jesus accomplished what He came to accomplish. Will we accomplish our purpose?
Questions for Reflection
If you had the abilities Jesus has, would you use them? What does that reveal about you? Are you more like James and John, seeking your own rule, or more like Jesus, the servant leader?
Can you think of an experience where someone showed you kindness, when you either didn’t deserve it or were unable to repay it? How did their kindness impact you?
Have you ever owed anybody anything? How would it make you feel knowing you had to repay something but didn’t have the means?
Is it difficult for you to understand the depth of love that Christ has for you? Is there anything that is preventing you from receiving that love?
Is there anywhere in your life where you feel God might be encouraging you to serve others? What is holding you back from serving others?
41-45 When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your servant. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away His life in exchange for many who are held hostage.” – Mark 10:35-45 (MSG)
The BIG Idea
Jesus is powerful, but doesn’t yield His miraculous abilities to gain political or religious power with the cultural elites; instead He models servant leadership for us – to the point of death on the cross. Those who trust in Jesus have the same God to face temptation with each day and model servant leadership to all they encounter as well.
Jesus is not on the trajectory to become an earthly king.
Humankind has a tendency to be a proud people, even when it comes to faith.
Our purpose should be to live fully submitted to God’s purposes in and through our lives.
We were created to serve.
Let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant . . . but I am among you as one who serves. – Luke 22:26-27 (NASB)
In Thy presence is fullness of joy, and at Thy right hand are pleasures forever. – Psalm 16:11 (KJV)
Serving grows our character.
Serving reminds us of who we are.
Among the heathen . . . each minor official lords it over those beneath him. But among you it is quite different. Anyone wanting to be a leader among you must be your servant . . . Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve. – Matthew 20:25 (TLB)
*God does not exist for our purposes. We exist for the purposes of God. We are also not to worship God for results. We worship God because God is God.
Serving opens the provision of God.
But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. - Matthew 16:33 (KJV)
We can’t pay the ransom to save our own souls.
When we are followers of Jesus, we bare the image of the one true King.
And he will speak against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in time and in law. – Daniel 7:25 (NASB)
*See Daniel 7
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits. – Psalm 103:1-2 (NASB)
There is NO greater title than that of “servant” in the Kingdom of God.
Remember, Jesus has never been able to fill anyone who is full of themselves.
Jesus accomplished what He came to accomplish. Will we accomplish our purpose?
Questions for Reflection
If you had the abilities Jesus has, would you use them? What does that reveal about you? Are you more like James and John, seeking your own rule, or more like Jesus, the servant leader?
Can you think of an experience where someone showed you kindness, when you either didn’t deserve it or were unable to repay it? How did their kindness impact you?
Have you ever owed anybody anything? How would it make you feel knowing you had to repay something but didn’t have the means?
Is it difficult for you to understand the depth of love that Christ has for you? Is there anything that is preventing you from receiving that love?
Is there anywhere in your life where you feel God might be encouraging you to serve others? What is holding you back from serving others?