Lent 2019 | Day 5 | Jesus as Servant King - Part 2

SCRIPTURE

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“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” -Mark 10:42-45

DEVOTIONAL

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The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. What? The Son of Man. The King of Kings. I am. Yahweh. Emmanuel. The Messiah. Came to serve…and give his life as a ransom for many?

These words made no sense to the disciples. A king was separated and above the needs and groans and frailties of his people. He would be in a mansion. He would have guards. And a just and righteous king would set things right, through force if need be. So it’s no surprise that Jesus’ disciples were looking for a ruler that would overturn the opposition’s power by exerting his power and authority.

So what was Jesus saying?

Jesus was the Great Table Turner. Holy Otherness. Beyond man’s imagination. Even the darkness could not understand it. Jesus was the Firstborn of All Creation and yet, he came into creation as a “slave to all”. The Servant King. He came showing us that God has never detached himself from our fate. His love could not permit him to turn his back on us…disconnect from our sufferings and separation. God was not like Marie Antoinette saying “Let them eat cake” when the people were starving and desperate with no resources and no bread.

No, Jesus came as a completely other type of King. One who lived among us. He came as one of us, but not just among us … as a servant TO us. A slave to all. He took on struggle, illness, temptation (Hebrews 4:15), frustration, longing … he hungered, thirsted, grew weary, and wrestled as a man for the faith and grace and endurance to complete his purpose as our perfect ransom.

God is a Love so humble, so gentle, so patient, so gracious, so long suffering...we cannot fathom it. Jesus is the “exact imprint of the invisible God” and he came as the Servant King. Who is this God who runs towards us? Who is this Holy One? He is Jesus. God. Man. And King. Hallelujah.

REFLECTION

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How do you experience Jesus as your King? Do you experience him more as a Servant King or an Overlord? Where can you meditate on him as your Servant King today?

Where can you put your trust in the ways of The Servant King and serve others?

PRAYER

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Father, you are a good and kind ruler. You are a king who is mighty to save! Jesus, you are the fullness of glory and the humblest of servants. Thank you for your love, mercy, humility, and grace. Thank you that yours is a Kingdom in which servants flourish, and the humble are made great. Holy Spirit, would you change our hearts and our lives to be faithful servants to King Jesus. Would our deeds of love and mercy cause others to honor you. In Jesus name, Amen.