Advent Day 2: Jesus Came to Serve

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 10:45 ESV)

Kings who invade foreign lands always intend to be served.  You can search the history books and you will fail to find a king who invaded a land to serve the people.  They come to increase their power, their influence, their wealth, and a whole host of other reasons.  But, it's never to give of themselves.  They come to take, never to give.  They come to be served, not to serve.  They come to kill, not to sacrifice.

There's only one King who has ever invaded another land and then washed the feet of the people. There's only one King who came to give his life instead of taking life.  His name is Jesus.

It's astonishing that King Jesus, the creator of the universe who holds all things together by the word of His power, came not to be served, but to serve.  But, that's exactly what he says in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  How could one of such power, and prestige, and glory, and worth, come to serve us?

It's hard to wrap our minds around, but that's the astonishing truth of the gospel.  Jesus came to earth and took on flesh so that he could serve us by giving his life in our place.  And, let's make no mistake about it, Jesus' life was not taken from him.  He gave it up. "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father" (John 10:18).

The baby lying in the manger came to serve you by giving his life in place of yours, so that you might live for all eternity.