WRONG IDEA OF KINGSHIP (37)
It was apparent to many that Jesus was the Messiah.
Some tried to ignore that, or push the idea to one side, because He didn’t fit into the image that they had of the Messiah.
Indeed, we know that some of the famous passages in the Old |Testament about this Messiah spoke of a triumphant King.
And yes – this king riding into Jerusalem.
The image people had was a strong, warrior type who would overthrow the Roman authorities and bring in God’s reign in the Holy City.
And whilst this Jesus didn’t match up to the strong warrior type, they still held on to the idea he was going to rule an earthly kingdom, sitting on an earthly throne, and ruling with peace and power.
Even those closest to Him held to this idea as we see in our reading from Mark 10 this morning.
James and John: ‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.’
42 it says that Gentile (Roman) rulers “lord it over” people
High officials exercise authority
They knew how it worked . . .
James and John were happy to buy into that.
“Jesus – you can be king, and we will be your officials.”
Does anyone hear a sigh from Jesus?
SERVANT KING (43-44)
His reply to this very human, worldly request is, in effect:
“You wanna become great? Then this is how you become great in God’s kingdom…”
• Be a servant!
• Be last!
Even with the understanding the disciples had of Jesus and His teaching, that probably was shock to hear.
That’s definitely not how power and authority worked then – or now
• You get one over people.
o You have people working FOR you.
o Climbing the ladder is many people’s aim.
• You lie, fight, cheat systems (even stab in the back)
• You aim to get first on the list (in line).
That’s the worldly way of power and authority, right?
Jesus is getting His disciples to see that The power and authority in the Kingdom of God doesn’t work on those principles.
He is quite clear about this.
Look at v45
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
SAVIOUR KING (45)
Jesus is the living example of how to be Great –
He took on the form of a servant giving the example of being least.
Last week: we were seeing that Jesus came to seek out the Least, the Last, and the Lost
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Did you notice in verse 45 the word “even”?
Did you ever notice that word before in this fairly well-known verse?
It’s an important word in that sentence.
Talk about authority, and the disciples saw
kings, priests, Pharisee…
Today…. We see politicians trying to point fingers at the faults of others, so they look good.
Leaders fight wars to gain power.
Celebrities vying for how many likes and followers they have on social media
That’s the way society functions…
…. But NOT the Kingdom of God.
According to society, Jesus did everything wrong.
But, whatever you believe about Jesus,
most will respect Him;
most know Him as a good person, and
MANY see Him as the Savior of the world.
How did He achieve that?
He came – not to be served, but to….. serve
even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
Not to lord it over the priests, the pharisee, the kings and rulers, but to be LAST – the one who was humiliated
Beaten
Jeered
Spat on
To serve the world by dying for it
“THAT’s how to live out life in the Kingdom of God
Jesus – the King of Kings, who humbled Himself to come to Earth
Lived among us
Sharing in life
And become our Mighty Savior though death . . . on a cross
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Of course, Christ is not a dead Savior
His resurrection proved that
Hundreds witnessed the man who was crucified on Friday in Jerusalem, but was meeting with people on the Sunday and the days that followed.
The ultimate end for many in their minds is death.
But Christ conquered death
Jesus is Savior over death.
The Savior of the world!
Is He your Savior?
He has rescued many here this morning
He has changed my life, and Jesus the Savior can rescue you and change your life too.
It doesn’t matter what you are facing.
• If you’re facing some addiction, Christ the Savior can rescue you from it.
• If you are facing low self-esteem, hopelessness, Christ the Savior can rescue you from it
• If you are facing anger issues in your life or bad traits, Christ the Savior can rescue you from it
Whatever you are facing or struggling with in your life, I believe Christ the Savior can rescue you from it.
He comes to you – not as some dictator to rule it over you;
But as a servant to help, heal, and bring wholeness.
Come to Him today – right now – and seek Him.
Bow in prayer:
Come to the Savior
Find . . . peace, purpose, healing and wholeness.
“I believe that He is my Savior, who will bring me into the Kingdom of God”
I trust in His message
I want to share in a relationship with God, not follow a religion or restrictions
I want to be His disciple and learn the ways of the kingdom – of service, of humility, of helping the Least, the Last and the Lost.
From this day forward – I want to follow Jesus Christ
Sing: I have decided to follow Jesus
Jesus’ ways are not weak
Living the Jesus way, within the Kingdom of God gives strength to do things we never thought possible.
God is the God of the impossible.
If we align ourselves with the Kingdom of God, we can find new, exciting things in our life.
The Lord said, ask and do things in my name, and big things can happen!
