Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It’s hard to believe that a new year is upon us. . . and even more, a new decade! With the passing of time comes the realization that we should have a renewed purpose to glorify God in all that we think, say, and do. As we reflect on the purpose of the Lord Jesus in coming into the world, which directly relates to the Christmas season, what do we discover? The purpose on which we reflect most is what He declared in Luke 19:10: “For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” He also stated: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me” (John 6:38). Regarding His sheep, Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b). Jesus even contrasted why He didn’t come with why He did come in passages such as these: “For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Matt. 9:13b). . . and. . . “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).
In this series on Jesus, we have seen this One who is so amazing. We have examined Him in His deity as God and in His humanity as man. We discovered in our last study that as a man He is like us in nearly every respect, except in one very important aspect: He is without sin. That affects everything! How different would our lives be if we, like Him, had no sin nature and if we did not sin! As the only sinless man and God-man, Jesus becomes our supreme example. One major area in which He is our example is declared by Him in the last purpose given above: in His servanthood. In Matthew 20:25-28, the Lord Jesus presents to His disciples a new way of living. Unlike the world around them, they were to be servants. Jesus stated the standard of true greatness: “. . . who-ever desires to become great among you, let him by your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave. . .” (Matt. 20:26-27). Who patterned this model as no one else ever has? We may point to many men and women throughout history, but none could ever equal the model before us today. “. . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28). This brings us to the question which we will address: “Who Is the Greatest Servant?” It is, of course, the Lord Jesus.
On earth His servanthood commenced with His incarnation—taking on human flesh.
Regarding outward form, He did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped (Phil. 2:6).
He emptied Himself, exchanging the form of God for the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7).
Though a humble servant, He still remained God. He was both God and man.
His servanthood continued throughout His earthly ministry.
His earthly ministry lasted for 3½ years.
The beginning of His ministry: baptism, testing, calling disciples (Matt. 3:13-4:25)
His early ministry in Judea (John 2:13-4:3)
His ministry in Galilee (Mark 1:14-9:50)
His ministry in Perea (Luke 9:51-19:28)
His earthly ministry involved meeting needs.
Meeting many physical needs: healing the sick (Matt. 4:23-25; 15:29-31), raising the dead (Luke 7:11-17; John 11:38-44), feeding the crowds (Matt. 14:15-21; 15:32-39)
Meeting many spiritual needs: proclaiming who He is (John 6:30-59; 10:7-18; 11:25-26; 14:1-14; 15:1-8), saving the lost (John 3:1-36; 4:1-30; Luke 15:1-32), casting out demons (Mark 1:21-28; 5:1-20), comforting the hurting (John 11:17-44; Mark 5:22-43)
His servanthood coincided with His teaching ministry (Matt. 20:25-28; John 13:1-17).
The exhortation of Jesus to servanthood (Matt. 20:25-27) is followed by His example of servanthood (Matt. 20:28).
The example of Jesus in servanthood (John 13:1-11) is followed by His exhortation to servanthood (John 13:12-17).
His servanthood climaxed in His sacrificial death.
The focal point of ministry was Jerusalem, where He was arrested, tried, and crucified (Matt.20:17-19).
He humbled Himself, having become obedient to death, even the shameful death of the cross (Phil. 2:8).
He came to serve, the ultimate service being to give His life a ransom for our sins (Matt. 20:28).
His servanthood concluded with His post-resurrection appearances.
He appeared to His disciples and others at least ten times (Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:1-18; Luke 24:1-49; John 20:11-21:25; Acts 1:1-8; I Cor. 15:3-8).
He prepared His disciples for what was to come (Matt. 28:16-20; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:19-23; 21:15-25; Acts 1:6-8).
The great paradox is that the Lord of all became the greatest Servant of all (John 13:12-14a). The practical lesson for us is to follow His example and serve others, as He did on earth (John 13:14b-17; Matt. 20:25-28).
Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie