The Standard of Service: 10:35-45

Introduce

Last week we considered the third passion prediction in which the resolve of our Lord to suffer and die is put in plain view. Like the other times Jesus predicted His passion, the text we look at this morning contains the disciples dense response and Jesus’ compassionate correction. In this story we find the answer to a question we all must answer: What are disciples of Jesus to be like? The answer will become clear as a retell, explain, and apply this story.

Retell

To begin with, observe service suppressed (10:35-40).

Our story begins not too long after Jesus third passion prediction. James and John come to the Lord Jesus with a request. James and John are two of what might be called Jesus’ inner three. The third is Peter. They are nick-named sons of thunder. They were present at the transfiguration. They would be closest to Him on the eve of His death in the Garden of Gethsemane.

John would go on to write five books of the New Testament and experience persecution, including exile. James would go on to be the first one of the apostles to be martyred (Acts 12:2). Here in Mark though they had not reached such levels of maturity and service to our Lord and His people.

Here they come to Jesus with a simple, albeit presumptuous wish. They say in verse 32, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” In other words, they what Jesus to make a promise to grant their request before they even tell Him what it is. For Jesus to grant such a wish would be unwise. Herod Antipas had made such a promise to His step daughter, resulting in the death of John the Baptist.

Jesus wisely ask what they want Him to do for them. Their request is found in verse 37, look. “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” To sit at the places of prominence in Jesus’ glory, is to sit in the places of prominence in His Kingdom, as Jesus states. However, they believed that Jesus would one day reign and, as Jesus said, that they with the other apostles would sit on twelve thrones. Their request for prominence shows their presumption. Their mention of the Jesus’ glory or Kingdom shows their faith. To them Jesus was the triumphant and reigning Son of Man Daniel saw. They wanted to be His top men.

Jesus does not respond with harsh rebuke. He prompts them to think about the nature of their call as disciples. Look at verse 38, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” To drink Jesus’ cup or be baptized with His baptism is to willingly endure and be plunged into the sufferings like those Jesus Himself experienced. Jesus was asking if they could willingly suffer like and for Him and His people.

They both answer with a “Yes.” Jesus agrees. They will drink His cup and be baptized with His baptism. James would do this through martyrdom and John through exile. However, look at verse 40, “but to sit at my right hand and my left is not mine to grant, but is for those whom it has been prepared.”

Jesus as the human mediator didn’t come to change the eternal decree and will of God as it related to places of prominence. He came to accomplish the decree and will of God as it related to redemption. The people and their places in the Kingdom had been prepared, or, as Paul says, predestined by God’s sovereign choice before the foundations of the World (Ephesians 1:3-14; Romans 8:28-31). Like God Himself His decree is independent and immutable.

You have observed service suppressed.

Next, observe service supplied (10:41-44).

The rest of the twelve were not happy by the request of James and John. They became “indignant.” James and John were not the only ones with a pride and presumption problem. Jesus, again, does not swiftly or harshly rebuke His dense disciples.

He called them to Himself and supplied them with a very important lesson. Read verse 42: “You know that those who are considered rulers of Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.” They know that the who supposedly rule and are great among the gentiles are actually arrogant and corrupt tyrants. The same can be said of many human rulers ever since. Did not the communists of Russia consider themselves liberators as they threw their own people in gulags to die awful deaths?

Indeed, the world’s leadership philosophy whether it manifest in government or business, directly opposes Jesus’ leadership philosophy. Look at verse 43-44: But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be a slave of all.” To be great in Jesus’ Kingdom does not consists of power gabbing or lording. To be great in Jesus’ Kingdom requires self-denial, self-giving, service, sacrifice, and suffering all for the benefit of others and the glory of God. To be great is to bear the mark of true godly and Christ-like love.

You have observed service suppressed and supplied.

Finally, observe service standardized (10:45).

Jesus ends by giving the ground, reason, and motivation for the disciples living a life of self-denying and self-sacrificing love. Read verse 45: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The Son of Man is the dying and rising servant of Isaiah 52:13-53:12. The Son of Man is the one that Daniel beholds in a vision. The Ancient of Days gives the Son of Man a universal and everlasting Kingdom. It is through this Son of Man that the saints are delivered from powers of darkness (Daniel 7:13-28). Jesus is the Son of Man.

God the Son did not become man to be served. He came to serve. He humbled himself not for His benefit. He humbled Himself for the benefit of others. He came not be given a ransom. He came to give His life as a ransom in the place of and for the benefit of many, namely those for whom it was prepared.

Jesus came to make the ransom payment in the place of and for the benefit of His people. He underwent the curse of sin to purchase the forgiveness of sin and eternal life for His people. He came to make the ransom payment to God the Father, who with the Son and the Spirit, planned, executed, and applied the redemption of His people. Jesus payed with the currency of His blood willingly enduring the awful sufferings we discussed last week to save His people.

Jesus disciples must be servants because their master was.

Transition

You have observed service suppressed, supplied, and standardized. Now we can answer the question I asked at the beginning: What are disciples of Jesus to be like? The disciples of Jesus are to be servants. This is the big idea. The disciples of Jesus are to be servants. To apply it I will formulate it as a charge, namely be a servant. Now consider one reason and two ways how to be a servant.

Apply

1. Be a servant because Jesus was

Jesus is Son of Man of Daniel and the suffering servant of Isaiah. He literally and emphatically says that He “did not come to be served but serve.” His service was the giving of Himself as a ransom in the place and for benefit of His people. He came to rescue them from the judgment of God for their sins and secure eternal life for them. Jesus in His person and work serves as our example and motivation.

Christian, you serve because Jesus served you in the greatest way imaginable. He purchased the forgiveness of sin and eternal life for you. You have every reason to be a servant. If you want picture of the life you shall live, then look to Christ Jesus. If you want motivation for the life you shall live, look to Christ Jesus.

Christian, are you a servant? Do you love the brethren? Do you gather with them regularly? Do you pray for them and with them? Do you hold them accountable? Do you bear their burdens? If your life is not marked by service and love, then perhaps you are a counterfeit Christian. One who has truly taken into account and trusted in the person and work of the Lord Jesus cannot go on living in pride or presumption. Jesus came to serve. You too must seek to serve. Trust in the Lord Jesus and repent of your sinful presumption.

Church, we are to be a congregation marked by humble service because our Lord Jesus served. We are to give of ourselves for the benefits of each other and those outside of our congregation. Indeed, we as a church should seek to bless and associate with churches of like faith. Jesus gave Himself not only for us here but for every Christian and for every local congregation that is made up by them.

Let us consider how we might be a blessing to other churches and Christians.

Maybe we could help repair their places of worship.

Maybe we could supply them with preachers when their pastor needs a week off or they are without one.

Maybe we could help them pay their pastors. This was one of the main things that came out of the London Baptist Assembly in 1689. Indeed, the great english baptist preacher Charles and, especially His wife Susie Spurgeon gave themselves to providing clothes and other resources to poor ministers.

Maybe with the equality act and other like policies on the table there might come a time to start a school grounded in truth and not the spirit of the age.

Yes, we are not the largest church. By some estimates we may even be a small church. Yet, we worship and serve a big God. Yes, let us, as the eighteenth century baptist missionary William Carey, “expect big things from God and to do big things for Him!” Jesus came serve. Therefore, let us serve.

Unbeliever, Jesus, the Son of God incarnate, came and gave Himself as a ransom. He perfectly obeyed God’s law. He willingly endured the trials of earthly life. He willingly underwent suffering the hatred of men and death on the cross. He bore the wrath of God in the place and for the benefit of His people. He rose in victory. He ascended in royalty. He will return in triumph. He reigns presently and His Kingdom is growing. At His return He will rescue His people from judgement and place them on the new earth to live forever without sin, death, or pain. He will also cast His and their enemies into judgement. I have a question for you. Are you numbered among Jesus’ people or His enemies? If among His people, then your end will be eternal life. If among His enemies, then your end will be eternal damnation. To be among His people you must believe on and trust in Him and His work for the forgiveness of sin and eternal life. Seek Him now in faith and you will find Him. He will not cast you out.

Be a servant because Jesus was.

2. Be a servant by denying yourself

Christian, the Bible and the church are not primarily about you, your wants, your preferences, or even your needs. The Bible is about Jesus and the Church is Jesus’ bride. Indeed, your life should not primarily be about you, your wants, your preferences, or even your needs. Your life like the Bible should be about believing in and serving the Lord Jesus. This requires that like Jesus you must deny yourself. In order to save His people, Jesus willingly underwent pain and death. You, also, must be willing to suffer for the sake of Jesus and His people.

Church, treat the Bible as the Word of God and the infallible rule of faith and obedience. Allow the worship and ministry of the church to be shaped and scrutinized by the Word of God. Even if the Bible goes against your individual wants and preferences, it must rule for in it is God’s revealed will for you and the church.

Husband, you are literally called to love your wife as Christ loved the church. That means sacrifice. You are to be interested not in your wants and needs first and foremost, but those of your spouse. Do you know what your wife wants and needs? If not, then perhaps a good starting point is ask.

Parents, you have authority over your children, yes. However, your authority is not to be lorded over your children. You discipline them, yes. But you must not provoke and abuse them. You are sovereign despots in your home. God alone is King and His reign is mediated first through Jesus Christ. Even the Lord Jesus denied the glory He was owed. Like Him you must deny yourself and provide the needs your children.

3. Be a servant by giving yourself

Christian, Jesus gave Himself for the benefit of His people. You should do likewise.

Perhaps it is the Lord’s Day.

Perhaps you are tired.

Perhaps the day is drowsy.

Perhaps the day is delightful.

Maybe you want to go fishing, hunting, hiking, canoeing, or maybe the Chiefs are in the playoffs some other extracurricular activity.

You may even think of a way to make such an activity seem spiritual or holy.

You say I haven’t spent much time with my family this week.

You say I do not miss that much church.

You say I don’t really get that much out of going to worship.

In times like that, I assure you such notions are not from God, nor are they holy. If you go to worship to feel good, then perhaps it is not God you have come to worship. No, you must gather to worship God and serve His people. Indeed the Lord’s Day gatherings should be an excuse for you to miss all other activities that the world schedules on this glorious day. Deny your perceived “needs” and your wants and give yourself to the regular gathering of the saints. In doing this, you will be blessed yes, but you will also be a blessing to God and your fellow Christians.

Moreover, give consider how you might meet the needs of fellow Christians both physical and spiritual. Give your funds to the ministry and needs of the church. Give your time to her service, worship, and mission.

Church, our duty, mission, and goal is not to build buildings, fill pews, or raise loads of cash. It is to worship God through our commitment to the Christ, church, and commission. We gather to worship. We depart to worship. We go to gather worshipers. Worship is what we are about. To do this we must give ourselves, our funds and time to the things which God cares about.

Conclude

Be a servant because Jesus was, by denying yourself, and by giving yourself. You observed such things when you observe service suppressed, supplied, and standardized. Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.” Let us believe on Him for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Let us in gratitude imitate Him in gratitude by denying and giving ourselves for the benefit of others.