A Ransom for Many
Mark 2026 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Introduction
Introduction
Jesus is the Sacrifice for the sins of the world. In these verses, we see the theme of sacrifice is carried out in the life of Jesus and the call of the disciples. This morning, we will see what must be sacrificed in the life of a disciple.
Mark was likely the first Gospel written. Under the inspiration of God, he writes with an intent to point his readers toward the Cross and the Empty Tomb. Those who read are faced with a question: who is this Jesus? All of the miracles of Jesus point to the answer that He is God Himself come as the Suffering Sacrifice for the sins of the world.
As we grow in our walk with God this year, we want to be Following in the Life of Faith. The Life of Faith begins with salvation through the Gospel and carries on toward the daily life of service to Jesus. Mark gives us the message of Jesus to all people.
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Will you look to Jesus for your salvation today? Will you live as a faithful disciple of Him? Will you look with eagerness to His return to establish His earthly kingdom? Let’s Follow in the Life of Faith this year and see God do something amazing!
There are few things in life that are as amazing as examples of the sacrifice that people have made for others. We have a word for this idea, altruism. Those who believe in the descent of man by evolution are quick to point out that this is contrary to the assumed manner of doing best by oneself. Instead of doing for others, the best should do for themselves to further our species.
The good news today is that this is not the way that the world works, even today. Think of the many firefighters and police that have given their lives for others that they did not know. Think of the soldiers that have fought in battles for those back home in danger. Think of the men and women that would go into harm’s way to save a child from certain death or injury. All of this is inexplicable without some moral pattern in the heart of man.
In our passage this morning, we see a profound statement of the mission of Jesus. The mission of Jesus is to save lost men. Jesus connects the demands of the cross-bearing life to the conduct of a servant and finally to the substitutionary death of Jesus. Jesus gave His life as a “ransom for many.” As we study these verses, we see that the life of discipleship costs everything.
Declaration
Declaration
The life of discipleship costs the life and possessions of those who choose it. Jesus is the sacrifices for and the example of discipleship. Today, we must be willing to look up from this world to the cross and see that what Jesus paid is what calls us to sacrifice ourselves.
There are in this passage several stories about Jesus and His disciples.
A rich, young ruler comes to Jesus to ask about “eternal life”, only used in these verses in Mark. This is found in verses 17-22.
Jesus teaches on dependence on Him alone instead of riches (implying the blessing given by God for obedience) for salvation in verse 23-27.
Jesus explains the rewards of faithfulness to Peter in verses 28-31
Jesus predicts again His coming death and resurrection v. 32-34
Jesus addresses the question of James and John on the glory they will share in the kingdom. Instead of glory, they will suffer as Jesus will in verses 35-45.
We are not able for time to go through each of these stories exhaustively, though I do have a plan to return to this entire section at some time in the future in more depth. 8:22-10:52 are very helpful verses on this topic of discipleship. This morning, we are going to look at one theme that carries through these verses as the unifying factor: discipleship costs everything.
Jesus is the Atonement for Sin
Jesus is the Atonement for Sin
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
This verse helps us to see the statement of the them that carries through these verses. Verses 43-44 set up verse 45 which is the centerpiece of the passage - salvation in Christ alone will bring eternal life. If you were to look for some other way to heaven for eternity, you will not find it. If you were to try on your own to earn salvation, you will never make it. Jesus is the one who brings reconciliation with God for mankind.
The word “atonement” is a word created by William Tyndale when he was translating the Bible into English. He was looking for a word that described a relationship that was broken needing to be put back together. When two people are in unity, we can say that they are “at one” with each other. So, the sacrifice of Jesus allows the sinner to be “at one” with God through faith in Jesus. Thus, Jesus is the Atonement for sin.
Isaiah tells us of the character of the coming Servant of the Lord fulfilled in Jesus,
I gave my back to the smiters, And my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
Verse 45 tells us that Jesus is the “ransom” or the payment that would have been made to free a person from bondage. In the Hebrew concept of this idea, this was the nearest related person who would pay what was owed in the place of another. (TDNT) Jesus buys sinful humanity back from their sin with a payment to God. Even in one of the oldest books of the Old Testament, God’s work is seen,
For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
God is the One who condemns for sin and God is the One who pays for sin. Jesus carries out the truth of the sacrificial system which was that one animal or person could take the place of another as in 1 Sam 14:45. Jesus is able to reconcile man with God because He died for and with their sin upon Him. As one writer,
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament 2. λύτρον
Hence, as his blood avenger, He enters the lists against Himself when He enables Job to see Him after death.
Later, Jesus will explain this concept further in the context of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus’s blood is the currency of the payment. It alone is able to cover man’s sin.
And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Verse 45 also tells us that Jesus died “for” or as one writer (BKC) “instead of, in the place of” many. He was the substitute and He took the sin and punishment of all mankind. Jesus dies where we deserve to be. Those who reject the free gift of salvation through Him alone will still suffer for all eternity their just punishment, eternity in hell.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows: Yet we did esteem him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
This word “many” implies all. We know this because this was covering all people from all nations. Jesus’s atonement is not limited to a chosen few but is sufficient for the complete salvation of all nations. God says,
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: For I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, The word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall swear.
From this central truth, we will see three principles in these verses. Without the sacrifice of Jesus, our moral actions are worth nothing. With the sacrifice of Jesus as our payment for salvation, we will be learning and following and growing in the life of faith!
1. We Cannot Save Ourselves
1. We Cannot Save Ourselves
And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
The first principle that we see in these verses is found in the story of the rich, young ruler. The man comes to Jesus and asks how he can “inherit eternal life.” Jesus shows him that we cannot save ourselves.
A man comes to Jesus in verse 17 that has a good question to ask. It was common in that period to believe that the actions of following the Law was all that God required for eternal life. Jesus has already addressed this with the religious leaders because their hearts were in rebellion though their actions seemed in line with the Scripture. Jesus answers his question by pointing the man to the carrying out of several commandments: the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and possibly 10. It seems that the command “Defraud not” is connected to either the 8th and 9th or the 9th and 10th commandments as a summary idea.
The man replies that he has lived perfectly since he was child in this way. He has missed the point that Jesus is trying to make. Jesus explains this in verse 21. We cannot save ourselves.
In verse 21, Jesus commands him to turn from his covetousness and give up his possessions. This is not a universal command but the address to the sinfulness of this particular man. Jesus is pointing, through conviction, at the sin that is keeping him from salvation. When we expect to use what we have done or pay with what we have acquired for salvation, we will realize that there is never enough. Haggai tells us that because of sin all we have is containers that are constantly leaking,
Ye have sown much, and bring in little; Ye eat, but ye have not enough; Ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; Ye clothe you, but there is none warm; And he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
We have broken God’s law. We have no way to fix what is wrong. We cannot earn our salvation but must follow Him instead.
Jesus looks at the man and “loved him.” He knew the sinfulness of his heart and the need he had of Jesus’ righteousness. He loves all of us and died in our place.
The man turns and leaves because he could not give up his riches. Jesus then turns this toward the problem of greed in the life of those without Him. Jesus calls us to turn from all that we rely on toward Him alone. The choice to give all is what is missing in many people more focused on riches. Paul says,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
The command that He gives to the man is “take up the cross, and follow me.” This is how we respond to the truth that we cannot save ourselves. We turn from what we have done and rely on what He has done. Today, we must get up and get moving after Him!
2. Jesus Offers Payment for Sin
2. Jesus Offers Payment for Sin
And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Jesus teaches on the challenge of the rich to enter the kingdom. They rely on what they have done and been given. But, Jesus offers payment for sin.
While it was impossible for anyone to be saved on their own, it is possible with God. The man was focused on what he was giving up verse 22 just as Peter in verse 28. Peter tells Jesus, “we have left all, and have followed thee.” The disciples are the same as this ruler. They are relying on what they have done not what He will do.
But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Jesus answers the confusion of the disciples with a promise, “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Verse 27 is often taken out of context. Here, Jesus is saying that God will do what is impossible because only He can. The redemption is the eternal plan of God through all eternity.
Verse 28 sets up the remainder of the verses. Peter’s statement shows that he does not understand what Jesus is pointing to. Jesus explains that the life of discipleship is a life of suffering but with an eternal reward in heaven.
Luther explained that someone who is a biblical believer will focus on the “theology of the cross” - God is revealed as suffering on the cross for mankind’s sin - instead of a “theology of glory” - God sitting on a throne with justice enacted. The disciples also are missing the suffering aspect because they expect glory for following the Messiah.
We are not saved by works. We are saved by faith. We are saved by grace alone.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Have you ever believed in Jesus for salvation? He has paid your debt on the cross. He has made the ultimate sacrifice so that you can be free from your slavery to sin. You are set free by His death. Will you believe in Him?
Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
The life of a disciple is begun through the sacrifice of Jesus. In verses 33-34, Jesus again predicts His coming death. He gives a clearer and a clearer picture of what will happen. But the common theme is always that He will die and rise again. Jesus offers payment for our sin.
3. Jesus is the Example of Discipleship
3. Jesus is the Example of Discipleship
And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
The final principle that we see is that Jesus is the example of discipleship. There have been people throughout history who have elevated this principle higher than that of Jesus’ death in our place. But, we need to understand that without salvation through Jesus alone, His example will never have any meaning.
One writer reminds us,
Matthew–Luke Mark 10:17–31
Mankind was created for dependence upon God as the source of life. Any replacement of this exclusive source leads to impoverished existence and idolatry.
In verses 35-41, Jesus answers a question from James and John. He has just given them another prediction of His coming death and resurrection. Instead of solemn contemplation, these two men are interested in the glory that they perceive to come. Jesus is the Servant who will die for mankind and He here addresses their ambition.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Gentiles, Jesus says, live with power and authority that is abused over other people. They are always looking for more greatness. The disciples of Jesus are to have a distinct philosophy of greatness. Whoever will be greatest will be servant of the others.
Jesus ends this section with Himself as the furthest example of servanthood. “For even” - Jesus is the greatest disciple because He obeyed the Father, willingly giving His life for us, dying in our place suspended above the earth and below heaven. He was the Servant and the Sacrifice. So Jesus says, “how about you?” Because He died, we die. Because He lives, we live. The faith of the believer is lived in service to Jesus Christ.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
The life of a disciple is lived by following the example of Jesus as living for others. The cross is to be carried as we live through suffering looking to Him alone. He died so that we might live for Him. Spurgeon preaches,
The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, Vol. LI A Procession of Cross-Bearers (No. 2,946)
There is no exception to this rule; from the Master down to the last disciple, it is a procession of cross-bearers. The day will come when there will be a transformation scene, and you will see all these cross-bearers transformed into crown-wearers.
How can I see you carrying the cross? Where is your service to Him seen? The atonement of Jesus is what changes us and leads to our living after His example. The life of discipleship is service to the Servant who died in our place.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The life of discipleship costs the life and possessions of those who choose it. Jesus is the sacrifices for and the example of discipleship. Today, we must be willing to look up from this world to the cross and see that what Jesus paid is what calls us to sacrifice ourselves.
We all suffer in our lives. We all have a tendency to elevate what we have accomplished despite hardship. But, there is no place for greatness in the life of discipleship. Jesus, God Himself, became a servant to die for us. This is the change that we all need.
We have a heart of ambition and of desire to be noticed. We want to be recognized for all that we have done. But the truth is that we are nothing apart from Him. We are nothing without His death to ransom the many.
What can we do today from this passage? We can respond with a surrender of all that we have and that we are to Him. This is the cost of discipleship - it costs everything.
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Jesus has paid our debt and purchased us back from our sin. We are no longer under the condemnation through Him. Who around us knows it? Have they seen it in how we live, how we serve and how we sacrifice?
Everyday is a new day. Each day, we suffer and we choose how to respond to the difficulties of life. Jesus responded with service and sacrifice. How will you respond today?
