Greetje at 03:57, 1 October 2008

2008-10-01T03:57:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:57, 1 October 2008
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-	{{info}}~~The Son of Man Came to Serve~~	+	<blockquote>
-	~~<blockquote>~~'''Mark 10:45''' </blockquote><blockquote>	+	{{info}}'''Mark 10:45'''
		+	</blockquote><blockquote>
	For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.		For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>
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	*It's about the coming of the "fullness of time" that had been prophesied by the prophets of old that		*It's about the coming of the "fullness of time" that had been prophesied by the prophets of old that
	<blockquote>		<blockquote>
-	*a Ruler would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2);	+	*a Ruler would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2);
-	*and a child would be born called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6);	+	*and a child would be born called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6);
-	*and a Messiah, an anointed one, a shoot from the stem of Jesse, a son of David, a King would come (Isaiah 11:1–4; Zechariah 9:9);	+	*and a Messiah, an anointed one, a shoot from the stem of Jesse, a son of David, a King would come (Isaiah 11:1–4; Zechariah 9:9);
	*and, according to our text today, Christmas is about the coming of the Son of Man who "came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). <br>		*and, according to our text today, Christmas is about the coming of the Son of Man who "came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). <br>
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>
-	This brief expression of Christmas in Mark 10:45 is what I hope God will fix in your mind and heart this year so that your faith in future grace will be strengthened and so that you will have a clear, short word of explanation that you can refer to when you are talking to others about what Christmas really means.	+	This brief expression of Christmas in Mark 10:45 is what I hope God will fix in your mind and heart this year so that your faith in future grace will be strengthened and so that you will have a clear, short word of explanation that you can refer to when you are talking to others about what Christmas really means.

	So we will take it one step at a time and make sure that the words are clear and that we understand why Jesus said them in this context.		So we will take it one step at a time and make sure that the words are clear and that we understand why Jesus said them in this context.
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	Let's get the story clear: James and John, two of Jesus disciples—the sons of thunder—came up to him and said (in verse 35),		Let's get the story clear: James and John, two of Jesus disciples—the sons of thunder—came up to him and said (in verse 35),
-	<blockquote>	+	<blockquote>"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And Jesus said to them, "What do you want me to do for you? And they said to him, "Grant that we may sit in your glory, one on your right, and one on your left." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. But to sit on my right or on my left, this is not mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." </blockquote>
-	"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And Jesus said to them, "What do you want me to do for you? And they said to him, "Grant that we may sit in your glory, one on your right, and one on your left." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. But to sit on my right or on my left, this is not mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared."	+	===== What James and John Got Right =====
-	</blockquote>	+
-	===== What James and John Got Right =====	+

	James and John get one thing right here, and most everything else wrong. They are right in verse 37 when they say that Jesus is destined for glory—"When you sit in your glory." And that is a good thing to be right about. There are some people in this room who are not yet right about that. Here's how you can tell. If you know that a company's stock is going to take off and go through the roof, you buy that stock and not the competitor's. If you know this building is going to stand after the storm and no others, you get in this building, and not the others. And if you know that Jesus is going to reign in glory in the end over every rival, then you follow Jesus and not his rivals. And some are not following Jesus and so don't have it right yet about his glory. You're not yet as far along as James and John.		James and John get one thing right here, and most everything else wrong. They are right in verse 37 when they say that Jesus is destined for glory—"When you sit in your glory." And that is a good thing to be right about. There are some people in this room who are not yet right about that. Here's how you can tell. If you know that a company's stock is going to take off and go through the roof, you buy that stock and not the competitor's. If you know this building is going to stand after the storm and no others, you get in this building, and not the others. And if you know that Jesus is going to reign in glory in the end over every rival, then you follow Jesus and not his rivals. And some are not following Jesus and so don't have it right yet about his glory. You're not yet as far along as James and John.
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	They had that right. Jesus would take his kingly seat in glory someday and rule the world. Nobody really believes this who isn't following Jesus.		They had that right. Jesus would take his kingly seat in glory someday and rule the world. Nobody really believes this who isn't following Jesus.

-	===== What James and John Got Wrong =====	+	===== What James and John Got Wrong =====

	But they probably didn't understand the cup and the baptism that Jesus was talking about in verse 38: "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said yes. But did they know? What was he talking about?		But they probably didn't understand the cup and the baptism that Jesus was talking about in verse 38: "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said yes. But did they know? What was he talking about?

	What is this cup? In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus pleaded with his Father, if there was another way besides the horror of crucifixion and abandonment, would he please take that way. But these were the words he used,		What is this cup? In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus pleaded with his Father, if there was another way besides the horror of crucifixion and abandonment, would he please take that way. But these were the words he used,
-	<blockquote>	+	<blockquote>Abba! Father! All things are possible for you; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what you will. (Mark 14:36) </blockquote>
-	Abba! Father! All things are possible for you; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what you will. (Mark 14:36)	+
-	</blockquote>	+
	The cup was the death he was about to endure. So he was saying to James and John: if you want to rule with me in my glory the way you are asking, then you must die with me—you must drink the same cup.		The cup was the death he was about to endure. So he was saying to James and John: if you want to rule with me in my glory the way you are asking, then you must die with me—you must drink the same cup.

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	What happens, then, is that the other disciples get bent out of shape because of James and John's aggressive claim on the places of honor in the kingdom. What will Jesus say to them? He says basically the same thing he said to James and John, only with different words. Watch how he does it. Verse 41 says they are indignant with James and John. So Jesus calls them all around and says (in verse 42),		What happens, then, is that the other disciples get bent out of shape because of James and John's aggressive claim on the places of honor in the kingdom. What will Jesus say to them? He says basically the same thing he said to James and John, only with different words. Watch how he does it. Verse 41 says they are indignant with James and John. So Jesus calls them all around and says (in verse 42),
-	<blockquote>	+	<blockquote>You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43) But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44) and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. </blockquote>
-	You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43) But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44) and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.	+
-	</blockquote>	+
	Now that is the same as saying to James and John: if you want to be great with me in my glory, you must drink the cup of my suffering. If you disciples want to get in on the greatness, you must be a servant, and if you want to be first, the way James and John asked about the first places, you must be slave of all. But what does slave of all mean?		Now that is the same as saying to James and John: if you want to be great with me in my glory, you must drink the cup of my suffering. If you disciples want to get in on the greatness, you must be a servant, and if you want to be first, the way James and John asked about the first places, you must be slave of all. But what does slave of all mean?

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	That's the context of verse 45. It is part of a very radical call to discipleship. If you want to follow me and seek the glory of the kingdom, be prepared to suffer. That is the way I go, and those who follow me go the same way. I don't take the hard road while you take the easy road. The road that leads to life is hard and few there be that find it (Matthew 7:14). We take the same road. "He who would come after me must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34).		That's the context of verse 45. It is part of a very radical call to discipleship. If you want to follow me and seek the glory of the kingdom, be prepared to suffer. That is the way I go, and those who follow me go the same way. I don't take the hard road while you take the easy road. The road that leads to life is hard and few there be that find it (Matthew 7:14). We take the same road. "He who would come after me must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34).

-	==== The Radical Call to Be Served by Jesus ====	+	==== The Radical Call to Be Served by Jesus ====

-	Now in that context Jesus gives a powerful Christmas promise of future grace. As far as I know, no other religious leader in the history of the world has done what Jesus promised here. He says in effect in verse 45 that this radical call to discipleship—this call to come and drink the cup of suffering and service—this is ''not ''a call to serve Jesus, but a call to be served by Jesus as we serve others and to be ransomed by him from death. Let me say this again, to be sure you hear it correctly: ''the good news (the good news of Christmas) is that the radical call to Christian discipleship is NOT a call to serve Jesus, but to be served by Jesus as we serve others, and to be ransomed by him from death.''	+	Now in that context Jesus gives a powerful Christmas promise of future grace. As far as I know, no other religious leader in the history of the world has done what Jesus promised here. He says in effect in verse 45 that this radical call to discipleship—this call to come and drink the cup of suffering and service—this is ''not ''a call to serve Jesus, but a call to be served by Jesus as we serve others and to be ransomed by him from death. Let me say this again, to be sure you hear it correctly: ''the good news (the good news of Christmas) is that the radical call to Christian discipleship is NOT a call to serve Jesus, but to be served by Jesus as we serve others, and to be ransomed by him from death.''

	You see this in verse 45: "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." At first this only sounds like an example to follow, right? Don't lord it over your fellows; serve them. Why? Because the Son of Man set you an example: he serves. He gives his life. So at first the verse sounds like an example to follow.		You see this in verse 45: "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." At first this only sounds like an example to follow, right? Don't lord it over your fellows; serve them. Why? Because the Son of Man set you an example: he serves. He gives his life. So at first the verse sounds like an example to follow.
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	Do you recall what Jesus said in John 15:5?		Do you recall what Jesus said in John 15:5?
-	<blockquote>	+	<blockquote>I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing. </blockquote>
-	I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing.	+
-	</blockquote>	+
	Apart from me you can do nothing. You cannot drink my cup. You cannot endure my baptism. You cannot serve each other. You cannot become the slave of all. To do any of this, you must "abide in me and I in you." You must trust me to serve you. Abiding in the vine and being served by Jesus are the same thing. And both are the same as living by faith in future grace.		Apart from me you can do nothing. You cannot drink my cup. You cannot endure my baptism. You cannot serve each other. You cannot become the slave of all. To do any of this, you must "abide in me and I in you." You must trust me to serve you. Abiding in the vine and being served by Jesus are the same thing. And both are the same as living by faith in future grace.

-	==== A Christmas Demand and Promise ====	+	==== A Christmas Demand and Promise ====

	Jesus is saying, "Christmas means that the Son of Man comes. And when he comes, he ''demands ''something and he ''promises ''something. He demands your life. All of it. He demands that you take on a life-style that sacrifices everything for the sake of serving others (Luke 14:33). This is hard. In fact, it is impossible. That's what Jesus said to the disciples in Mark 10:27 when they said, "Who then can be saved?" He said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." It is impossible to drink the cup of suffering. It is impossible to become everybody's servant. UNLESS . . .		Jesus is saying, "Christmas means that the Son of Man comes. And when he comes, he ''demands ''something and he ''promises ''something. He demands your life. All of it. He demands that you take on a life-style that sacrifices everything for the sake of serving others (Luke 14:33). This is hard. In fact, it is impossible. That's what Jesus said to the disciples in Mark 10:27 when they said, "Who then can be saved?" He said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." It is impossible to drink the cup of suffering. It is impossible to become everybody's servant. UNLESS . . .
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	I commend him to you for your trust. For your enjoyment this Christmas.		I commend him to you for your trust. For your enjoyment this Christmas.

-	===== Becoming Like Children on Christmas =====	+	===== Becoming Like Children on Christmas =====

	Our new daughter, Talitha Ruth, arrived in our home Friday night at 9 1/2 weeks old. She smiled. She cooed. She ate. And she fell asleep in her crib. And slept for seven hours. She did not serve us at all. She is totally dependent on being served by us. If she insists on serving us rather than our serving her, she will die. This is why Jesus said, "Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).		Our new daughter, Talitha Ruth, arrived in our home Friday night at 9 1/2 weeks old. She smiled. She cooed. She ate. And she fell asleep in her crib. And slept for seven hours. She did not serve us at all. She is totally dependent on being served by us. If she insists on serving us rather than our serving her, she will die. This is why Jesus said, "Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).

	It's almost Christmas. Open your heart to receive the best Christmas present imaginable: Jesus giving himself to die for you and serve you, all the rest of eternity. Receive this. Turn away from self-help and sin. Become like little children. Trust him. Trust him. Trust him with your life.		It's almost Christmas. Open your heart to receive the best Christmas present imaginable: Jesus giving himself to die for you and serve you, all the rest of eternity. Receive this. Turn away from self-help and sin. Become like little children. Trust him. Trust him. Trust him with your life.

Greetje at 23:43, 19 September 2008

2008-09-19T23:43:08Z

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Greetje: New page: {{info}}The Son of Man Came to Serve
'''Mark 10:45'''
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom ...

2008-09-19T23:28:35Z

New page: {{info}}The Son of Man Came to Serve <blockquote> '''Mark 10:45''' </blockquote><blockquote> For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom ...

New page

{{info}}The Son of Man Came to Serve
<blockquote>
'''Mark 10:45'''
</blockquote><blockquote>
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
</blockquote>
Introduction: Christmas Is About . . .

Today and <u>next Sunday</u> I want to meditate with you on Mark 10:45. It is a very important Christmas text.

Christmas is about the coming of Christ into the world.

*It's about the Son of God, who existed eternally with the Father as "the radiance of his glory and the exact representation of his nature," taking on human nature and becoming a man (Hebrews 1:3).
*It's about the birth of a man by a virgin conceived miraculously (not sexually) by the Holy Spirit so that he is the Son of God, not the way you and I are sons of God, but in an utterly unique way (Luke 1:35).
*It's about the coming of a man named Jesus in whom "all the fullness of deity was pleased to dwell" (Colossians 2:9).
*It's about the coming of the "fullness of time" that had been prophesied by the prophets of old that

The Son of Man Came to Serve - Revision history

Greetje at 03:57, 1 October 2008

Greetje at 23:43, 19 September 2008

Greetje: New page: {{info}}The Son of Man Came to Serve '''Mark 10:45''' For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom ...

Greetje: New page: {{info}}The Son of Man Came to Serve
'''Mark 10:45'''
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom ...