29^th August 2010

SEEDS FOR HARVESTING 5/33

Mark 10:45
"The Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and give His life as a ransom for many."

Here in a few words
Jesus sums up His whole earthly ministry.
The key word is "Serve."

Jesus was implying that His birth, death and resurrection
must always be seen in terms of His servant hood.
He "gave His life as a ransom for many".

What does He mean when He says "many" and not "all"?
We can only understand His servant hood
through His sacrificial death for us.
Only then can we become a part of the "Many".
A strange message in this age
when we are told that if we have enough belief in ourselves
we can accomplish anything,
even sailing alone around the world.

The other strange word for our age is "ransom,"
or to be "set free".
This word ransom means that
He gave His life so that we could experience
a new sense of freedom.
Jesus said
" You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free".

After the washing of the disciples' feet
He said "I have set you an example"
No - God does not expect
that we should be crucified on a cross for others;
but that our whole life be flavoured by
our willingness to serve.

Bob Imms 29.8.10