Why Jesus Came

-December 18, 2023-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

(Mark 10:45).

Christmas is one week from today. Today’s verse is not usually considered a Christmas verse, but it really is. Christmas is all about the coming of Christ. The context of the verse is Jesus’ discussion with His disciples on the subject of humility and the greatness of serving. James and John had just made the request to sit on His right hand and on His left in His glory.

Jesus used this request to teach humility in service. He tells them that the great people of this world exercise their authority, lording over them by force. It is not so in the kingdom of God. In fact, the opposite is true: greatness in the kingdom is in serving others. Jesus uses Himself as an example to them, thus demonstrating why He came: to serve. He contrasts why He did not come with why He did come into this world.

• He Did Not Come To Be Served But To Serve – As the King He deserved to be served, to have everything done for Him, to have the greatest home, be the richest man on earth, and to have everyone at His beck and call. He chose the exact opposite. He came to do the Father’s will, not His own, and to passionately serve others.

Hebrews 10:5-7 says, “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come in the volume of the book it is written of Me—to do Your will.’” Jesus came with healing in His hands; and proved that a life of service is the best life of all. In John 10:10 He said, “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

• And To Give His Life A Ransom For Many – Jesus’ purpose was to die on the cross, in our place, bearing our sins, and dying for us. He bought us with His own blood to cleanse us from sin, forgive us, and give us eternal life. When Pilate asked Him, “Are You a king then? Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37).

Let us remember this Christmas season why Jesus came: to do the Father’s will, to serve others, to give us eternal and abundant life, and to give His life as a ransom for many. May the Lord help us to follow His example, in serving God and others, and living life for Christ to the fullest. Have a blessed day and a Merry Christmas. Stay safe and healthy.

Serving and giving is the way to purposeful living,

Dean