Sermon: The Gospel & Serving Others

Text: Mark 10:32-44
Sunday, January 18, 2009

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In this section of Mark’s Gospel, we see Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem and to the cross. Mark records three times how Jesus predicted his own death, once in chapter 8, once in chapter 9 and a third time in our text in chapter 10. Each time, the disciples fail to understand. Each time, Jesus responds to their wrong ideas by teaching about discipleship. I’ll start reading at 10:32, but I’ll be dealing mainly with verse v. 42 – 45.

[Introduction] It was now or never, they knew it would soon be too late and their one chance would be gone. They could just imagine how Mom would take it – she would never forgive them. Lately, she only wanted to talk about one thing – her boys becoming big men in the new administration. Besides, they had paid their dues, they had been loyal, they had followed the teacher’s every step without complaining – in their minds they had earned it – they deserved it. Surely, he would pick them. Just after dinner, they had their chance. The boss seemed a little gloomy, but they were confident their timing was right. With all the boldness they could muster (and taking their mom along for backup), they walked right up to Jesus and began to make their request.

Can you imagine this scene? Jesus was making his final march to Jerusalem, he was preparing for complete humiliation – mocking, and spiting and beating and unthinkable suffering, and finally death. But his closest friends were more concerned about their glory – in this dark hour they were seeking their own interests. For 3 years they had seen his life of service, how he helped others with little though of his own needs. With their own eyes they had seen his compassion for the sick, his love for the outcast, and his continual searching for the lost & hopeless. But after 3 years of being with Jesus, they were still too selfish to follow his example of service.

How do we compare with them? Too often, we share their struggles. Even though we know that Jesus wants us to help others, but we just can’t seem to live that way. If we’re honest with ourselves, we find it difficult to put aside our own interests and put the needs of others first. Some of you have a sense of guilt because you do less than you think you should. Some of you too caught up in your jobs, or school, or family life to even notice the needs of others. In one-way or another, all of us struggle with our own selfishness.

But despite our failures and sin, God wants to help us grow in this area. Just like these disciples, Jesus wants to show us how we can become more like him. Maybe we have wrong ideas about our own importance, maybe we fail to see how much Jesus values service, maybe we haven’t understood how his death was an act of service for our benefit. In every situation, we need to see Christ’s encouragement for us to put others first. That is what I want to show you this morning: Because Jesus came to serve us, we can follow his example in serving others.

So, let’s look to this passage and see what Jesus says to selfish disciples. How can we learn to serve others?

[Main point 1] Fist, we must get rid of wrong ideas.

Mark 10:42-43a And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. (43a) But it shall not be so among you . . .

To follow Christ’s example of service, we first need to get rid of wrong ideas. One barrier to service is our wrong thinking. We don’t always understand what it means to be important. This is what Jesus is talking about in this verse. He wants the disciples to see the world has it all wrong. So, he begins to show the difference between being important in his kingdom and being important in the eyes the world.

This phrase “Rulers of the gentiles” is talking about the Romans Empire that was ruling over Israel in their day. They were known for their harsh tactics for keeping people under their control. The Jews had often tried to gain freedom from them, but each time the Roman Army had crushed any resistance. If you asked a Roman, they would tell you the strong deserved to rule over the weak. It was their right. So, their greatest kings were the ones who dominated the most people. But according to Jesus, they had it all wrong.

Some of the very first readers of Mark’s Gospel would have been slaves in the city of Rome itself. They would see these great rulers parade through the city after their wars, with the conquered kings of other peoples as their trophies. The whole city would cheer and say “Now that general is someone important!” But they had it all wrong. That kind of thinking does not belong in the life of a Christian.

So, what specifically is wrong with the world’s thinking about importance? To start with, it always comes at the expense of others.

In v. 42 Jesus uses two phrases to describe the world’s example. They “lord it over them” and they “exercise authority over them.” In this way of thinking, the most important people are the ones who are walking all over everyone else – they have to push others down so they can climb up. This kind of greatness is about putting others below you. The phrase “lord it over” means to control, to subjugate, to dominate. But being a bully doesn’t make anyone important, that’s wrong thinking.

What else is wrong with the world’s thinking about importance? It also assumes that important people deserve to boss others around.

This was the mindset of the Romans. People who came from the right families had the right to rule and demand service from others. They believe they were superior, so everyone else owed them obedience. We can see examples of this thinking in our day. At your workplace did you ever know someone who changed when they became a supervisor? All the sudden that person began to boss others around and act like they were better than their old friends. They began to make a big deal out of their new job title and “lord it over” anyone who would listen. They had it all wrong, a new job title doesn’t make a person important. That’s wrong thinking.

But, this is what the disciples were asking Jesus. They wanted a promotion, they wanted to be in charge. They were struggling to serve because they didn’t understand what it means to be important in God’s eyes. So, Jesus begins by showing how their thinking was wrong.

We need to hear it too; we need to get rid of our wrong ideas about importance. We need to remember the difference between being important in Christ’s kingdom and being important in the eyes the world. When we struggle to serve others, we must get rid of wrong ideas.

[Illustration] Let’s think about the example of Christ. How did he reject worldly greatness? We know about his childhood, how he was born into poverty and how his family lived as refugees for a time. Is this how the rulers of the world begin their life? We know that Jesus lived in obscurity for about 30 years until he began his public ministry. He worked with his hands as a common carpenter – most likely supported his widowed mother & brothers. Is this how an ambitious man builds his resume? We know that Satan offered him command of all the kingdoms of the world. But Jesus rejected that demonic shortcut, though he was the rightful Lord of Lord. Is this our world’s idea of greatness? We know that Jesus preached in the no-name towns and villages. He put his hands on the diseased and gave food to the peasants. Is this how powerful Kings establish their rule? At the last, we know that Jesus laid down his life for his own enemies. Jesus was not confused by wrong thinking. To follow his example we must get rid of wrong ideas about importance.

[Application] How can we live this truth in our daily lives? How can we reject examples of greatness and choose to imitate Christ? Some of you are in positions of authority at work. If so, you must be careful about your attitude toward people who are under your direction. You must be careful never to think your position makes you better than them. Just because you are the boss, does not mean you have the right to walk over other people. If you are going to follow the example of Christ, you must get rid of wrong thinking about importance.

Not all of us are in charge at our jobs, but many of you are mothers of young children. How can you resist these wrong ideas about importance? To start, you shouldn’t feel inferior if your primary job title is homemaker. The world may not think much of it, but God knows what your days are like. To be honest, most of us men could not survive one week in your shoes. You may not get promotions or paychecks or approval – but your service is important to God.

So, when we struggle to serve others, we must get rid of wrong ideas. But not only that …

[Main point 2] We also need to see the value of service.

The next thing Jesus wanted to shows his disciple was the value of serving others. He turns their idea of greatness upside down. Don’t miss the shock of these words in verse 43.

Mark 10:43-44 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, (44) and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.

In other words, importance in his kingdom is the exact opposite of everything we know. He is teaching, in a way we can’t mistake, that service is very important. The real heroes were not Roman generals, or political leaders, or men with great wealth – the real heroes are common disciples who serve others.

But what does it mean to be a servant? It means putting other people ahead of yourself. Remember, the worldly rulers were always putting other people under them. But a servant is always putting other people above them. Jesus is calling for a new way of relating to others. He says to put others first. Take their needs more serious than your own. This is the practical side of loving your neighbor – when you love someone you seek their good before your own. When he says to serve others it’s another way to talk about the Golden Rule. Do you remember the golden rule? “Whatever you want others to do for you, do also for them.” Serving others means doing good for others. So a servant is a person who puts other people first.

[Illustration] We get something of this idea when we go to a restaurant with good table service. Last week while we were Clarksville, we went to Olive Garden restaurant. Our waiter was a young man in his 20’s and dressed in a white shirt and black dress slacks. For the entire hour that we were there, he appeared to be concerned with only one thing – that all our needs were met. He didn’t wait in the break room and expect us to tell him what we needed. He was actively looking for ways to serve. He kept saying things like, “Can I get you anything else? Would you like a refill of your water? Does everything taste all right? Would you likes some dessert? Do you need a to-go box?” Do you know what he never said? He never mentioned his own needs. It was almost like his whole life was devoted to helping us to enjoy our meal. When he came to work that day, he put aside his own interests. All his effort and attention was focused on serving others. It was his job to put others first, and he embraced that role. This is a good picture of a servant. A servant puts others first and we should all make it our ambition to do the same.

In these verses, Jesus shows his disciple a new way to be great. But, isn’t it wrong for Christians to be ambitious? Sometimes Christians get confused about this question. But this passages points to a different kind of ambition – it’s ambition that seeks the good of others. Jesus clearly rejects the worldly ideas of power, but he encourages the disciples to seek true greatness. There are two different words used to describe service in this passage. We see the word “servant” in verse 43. This word has the idea of a waiter or errand boy. It suggests free service, as one who might be dependant on tips for repayment. Compare this with the word “slave” in verse 44. This word implies a servant who is bound to their master. It’s a more extreme kind of service. They do not have the freedom to leave their service except at the master’s permission. The prime thought in both words is service; while the free servant may render free service, the slave is obligated even restricted by his duties. So, increasing dedication in serving others is the path to increasing greatness. The person who wants to be become more important should increasingly put others first. The one who is the Greatest is the one who has laid aside all their own interests – it’s the one who has shown the greatest love and laid down their own life. That is the path that Jesus chose for himself, that was his ambition – to serve even by giving up his life.

Consider how much Jesus laid aside in order to serve us? He is the eternal God, perfectly happy, lacking nothing, and free to do all his Holy will. But for the love of sinners, he lowered himself by taking on human nature. He felt our weakness in his own body. He felt hunger, he felt tired, he felt sorrow, he was mocked, spit upon, tortured and killed. On the cross he took the wrath of God to set us free. His ambition was to rescue us from our misery. Consider how much he laid aside for our good.

Because Jesus came as a servant, we can follow his example in serving others.

[Application] Who has God called you to serve? Sometimes we struggle in this area are simply because we’re not looking around at who need help. What needs are you aware of this morning in our church? Maybe you know of an elderly woman who needs an extra visit this week. Even a short visit would do her some good. Can you spare an hour to serve her? Maybe you know of a young mother who needs some help? Perhaps you can put aside one afternoon to give her a hand. Maybe you know of a financial need someone? Maybe you know a young believer who is not being personally discipled? Perhaps you could offer to meet for prayer and Bible reading.

There are many people in our church who are already serving. We could talk about the man who does lawn care for the widow on his block. We could talk about the young woman who washes laundry for other families as a ministry. We could talk about hospital volunteers. We could talk about prison outreach. We could talk about raising money for cancer. We could talk about blood drives. We could talk about driving people down to doctors in Louisville. We could talk about the men shoveling snow for widows. We could talk about raking leaves. We could talk about funeral dinners. We could talk about the church nursery. We could talk about adoption. We could talk about the man who works full time maintaining our church house. There are many examples of service in this church – more than I could mention or even know about. But let’s not stop with doing a good job, let’s follow Christ’s example and make it our ambition to help others. Maybe God would make us a great church in our service to others.

[Transition] There are many more ways for us to put others first, and seeing the value of service will help us in this area, but our text doesn’t stop there. Like the disciples, we need more help to overcome our selfishness and truly learn to serve others.

[Main point 3] We must think about Christ’s example of service.

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The example of Jesus is our best motivation for serving others. Because he was God-in-human form, it was within his rights to demand service from us. Instead, he choose to become our servant. He gave his own life as a ransom-price to set us free. When we think about his example – when we think about his cross, it is the final cure for our own selfishness.

Notice what Jesus calls himself. This title Son of Man was used in 43x in the New Testament to describe Jesus. It was the most common way that Jesus referred to himself. It speaks to his humanity. Jesus is truly God, but he is also truly man. God-the-Son entered our physical universe as a physical being – he became a Son of Humanity. But this title also speaks to his royal destiny. When the prophet Daniel predicted the “son of man” he talks about him as a global king. He says that “all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.” He also says “his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” So, this title (Son of Man) carries the full weight of his glory and the full weight of his humility. The King of Kings has come to us as a Son of Man.

But why did he come? This king didn’t come to enjoy his royal privileges – He came to serve. He didn’t come to live in a palace and enjoy the rightful luxuries of a king. What does the verse say? – he did not come to be served, but to serve. His royal will was to set aside his royal rights and become a servant to others. We see this very clearly in his ministry. He sought out those who needed help. He went to the outcasts, he laid his hands on the diseased, and he fed the hungry. And finally he gave his life.

What does Jesus mean by this word ransom? In his service, Jesus did not stop at our obvious needs. He knew that our situation is much more desperate. The word “ransom” refers to the price required to buy someone’s freedom. We should not think of a kidnapping situation where the captor demands a payment to set their prisoner free – that is one sense for ransom. But I think we get a better picture from the Old Testament concept of redemption. God had provided laws for his people Israel to for when a person could not repay a debt. In such a case, the debtor’s property would go to the creditor and the debtor himself would become an indentured servant for a period of years. If a relative had the means, they could pay a ransom price to secure the freedom of that person. This is a better picture of what Jesus way doing.

There is a great sin-debt owned to God by humanity. We are spiritually bankrupt. We are in moral default and God is the offended party. He gave us life and every good thing, but we have wasted our lives and make no return to our creator. We do not give him the love and obedience he rightfully commands. Even if we could reform ourselves, tomorrow’s obedience could never repay for yesterday’s sin, because tomorrow’s obedience is rightfully owned to God also. So, every day we are in a worse position and we have no hope to get back to a right standing with God.

Into this helpless situation, Christ comes to redeem sinners – to ransom us. He becomes like us, lives a life of perfect love and obedience – then he lays down his life as the price for our redemption. So, when Jesus died on the cross, he did everything needed to set us free from the debt of sin. This was the ultimate form of service; he gave his life for our good.

But what did it cost Jesus to buy our freedom? Remember, this whole section began with Jesus predicting his own death. Look back to verse 32.

Mark 10:32-34 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, (33) saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. (34) And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

He is speaking plainly of his death, but his suffering will begin before the cross. In his act of service, he will also suffer public rejection. The priests and scribes were religious leaders; they would call Jesus a blasphemer and enemy of God. There would be crowds calling for his death. He will be handed over to the Romans, who will take special pleasure in tormenting Jesus. They will mock him – and spit on him – and flog him: all this he endured in order to serve us. But that was not the end of his suffering. Look at how Jesus answered the request of James & John. Look at verse 38.

Mark 10:38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

He uses two word-pictures here to describe his death. The cup that he was to drink was the cup of God’s wrath that would be poured out on him. He would bear the wrath of God in the place of sinful mankind. In addition to the physical suffering of the cross, Jesus suffered the agony of God’s righteous anger toward sin, which God poured out on him as a substitute sacrifice and in payment for sins. All of this was his service on for our good. Do you remember his prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, when he struggled in his humanity to endure this suffering. And finally he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

The second word here that describes his death is baptism. He is using it to picture his suffering which would pour over him like a flood. Elsewhere, the NT writers talk about the symbolism of baptism. It is a picture of us joining Christ in his death. All this is part of the ransom price; all of this is his service for us.

But who are the many? There is a definite price for a definite group of humanity. Jesus is buying the freedom for all who will believe in him. If you are here this morning and have not experienced this rescue, today God is offering you a full release from the guilt of your sin. This great salvation is free for any person who will turn away from sin and put complete trust in this Jesus for rescue.

[Application] But what does the cross teach us about service? How does Christ’s example help Christians who are struggling to put others first. Because Jesus came to serve us, we can follow his example in serving others. Let me list 5 final encouragements to help you life this truth.

1. No one is too important to serve. Jesus was the greatest man to ever walk the earth. He was God come as human. But he made his ambition to help others, he served to the point of death. None of us are too important.
2. We should never take pride in our service. Even on our best days, we fall short of Christ’s example. We should not compare ourselves to others, but to Christ. At the end of the day we must admit that we are still struggling servants who need forgiveness.
3. Serving others is the calling of every believer. It’s not only that Jesus served others, it’s that he has served you. If you claim the benefits of his death, then you share in his calling to put others first.
4. We should not let difficulty keep us from serving. Sometimes there is a price to pay when we help others. This should not discourage us, but motivate us to press on. When we suffer for the good of others we know we are following Christ’s example.
5. Serving will make us more like Jesus. As we accept our calling to serve, we will begin to see people the way Jesus saw people. We will begin to order our lives for the benefit of others. We will become more like Jesus.

[Conclusion] So, whatever happened to James and John. Did they learn their lesson? Did they get rid of their wrong ideas? Did they see the value of serving others? Did they finally understand the meaning of Christ’s death? The two disciples were ransomed by their savior’s death and they were forgiven for their pride and sin. Their lives changed, and by the grace of God they overcame their struggles to serve. After Christ was raise and ascending into heaven – James was the first of the apostles to be martyred. As we read in the book of Acts, “About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword.” (12:1ff)

What about John? He was the last of the Apostles and served the church through persecutions and exile. We know he learned this lesson when we read his letters. Listen to what he wrote and hear the change, hear how the ransom had set him free. Let these words encourage you, to follow Christ’s example of service. John writes in his first letter:

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. (1 John 3:16)