The Notebook
Read: Matthew 20:17-28
Reference: Matthew 5:28
Verse: For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many (NLT)
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many (KJV)
Strongs’ Greek Origins:
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto (diakonevw: to be served, to be supplied food and necessities of life), but to minister (diakonevw: to serve, to supply food and necessities of life), and to give (divdwmi: one’s own accord to give one something, to his advantage) his life a ransom (luvtron: the price for redeeming, ransom paid for slaves, captives) for many.
Thought: Even as the Son of man came not to be served, but to supply others with food and necessities of life, and of his own accord to give his life as the redeeming price for captives.
Impression: I have a hard time digesting this word. It is wonderful that Jesus chose to redeem us; however, when He laid down His life it wasn’t pretty. Jesus decided to die but He was murdered! I just do not understand it and all the smallest human level I can empathize with it.
Many times we as Christians (and people just trying to do the right thing) end up feeling used and abused. We willing give of ourselves to sometimes see our carefully wrapped kindness thoughtlessly or greedily ripped from our open hands.
I do believe that God is in the past, present and future. When He asked His Son to give up His life God knew it would not be a peaceful experience. He knew that it would not be a peaceful death scene like at the end of a romantic movie. Jesus knew this as well.
And so they both went through with it and Jesus even asked that we be pardoned for murdering him because we “know not what we do”.
Now I do not walk around “laying down my life” but sometimes it feel that way. On occasion I do even feel like those I am suppose to be serving are slowing killing me. That’s the truth. But as I just talk figuratively, Jesus experienced it literally.
Everyday, I need His power to forgive…
Joel Spencer
6 April 2009 at 4:35 pm
What stands out to me here is that Jesus (The Christ in the likeness of man) was able to serve because He was established in who He was. He was competent of His place in the whole scheme of things. For me, I too can “minister” capably when I see my role in it all.
As you say, at times it feels like those who should be gushing thankfulness and gratitude sometimes are the ones who put the nails in. Thankfully, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is within us to provide us with the same victory. May we also endure as He did in order to attain the victory that lays before us. Although it will not be to the same extent as He endured, His strength is sufficient nonetheless and is all that we need.
See you in five days!