Jesus Came to Minister and to Give His Life - Mark 10:45

Mark wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “You 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 chief, shall be servant of all”, and in chapter ten and verse forty-five of his book, Mark shared how Jesus said, “the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life” where we read:

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 verse reads, “ For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister ...” Mark began with the words, “For even the Son of man” which means “because, since and on account that Jesus who is God's Son” “came not to be ministered unto” or “appeared and arose not to be served”, “but to minister” which means “but rather to serve and be as a slave”. Mark shared how Jesus said He came to the world not to be “served” by mankind but to “serve” them.

The verse continues, “... and to give his life a ransom for many” Mark added the words, “and to give” or “and to grant, bestow, furnish and supply” “his life” which means “Jesus' own breath, living and seat of feelings, desires, affections and aversions” “a ransom” or “as a price for redeeming slaves and captives and liberating many from misery and the penalty of their sins” “for many” which means “for the cause and reason of a lot or large group of people”. Mark shared how Jesus referred to the way He came to “give his life” for the sake of “many” people.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see Jesus following His own words as He was to give His life for the sake of mankind. “Sin” separated people from a relationship with God, and when Jesus came to the earth, His purpose was to pay the price for their wicked ways so they may have a personal relationship with Him. God loves everyone, and when they receive His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they shall be forgiven for their “sinful ways” and receive “everlasting life” with God. This was Jesus' way of “ministering” to every person who yields.

Next time Mark shares about “blind Bartimaeus” , so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".