“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45
Dear Jesus, surely, the Gospel is the most counter-intuitive, paradigm-shattering, worldview-transforming force in history. Because of you, true greatness is now measured in terms of being a servant rather than owning the estate. Being first is no longer calculated by how many people work for us, but rather by how low we get and how many people we serve.
What an incredibly powerful Lord you are—signing on to make all things new. What a most gracious Savior you are—giving your life as the price to rescue, resurrect, and redeem us. We bow before you with wonder, love and praise. We rise to dance before you astonished at the love, affection, and joy you constantly emit.
Jesus, tattoo these words on our hearts with the indelible ink of your grace. Make them the most replayed song in the streaming service of our soul. Keep them before our eyes with neon-flashing brilliance: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
These words—this glorious truth contradicts our most basic instincts about everything, including salvation. We didn’t want to be ransomed as guilty rebels; we wanted to be coddled as misunderstood victims. Hallelujah for your sovereign grace and transforming mercy. We tremble as we ask, Jesus, but expose our lingering pride, humble and gentle us, gentle our hearts to be like yours. Make us glad to be your servants, and servants in all of our relationships. So Very Amen.