28 …even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 (ESV)
“A true leader leads by example, never asking others to do something that the leader is unwilling to do himself. He does not seek leadership in order to have power and authority over others, he leads in order to do good for other people,” states Dr. R.C. Sproul.
Jesus explicitly expressed true servant leadership. He did so not only in what He taught but also in how He lived; and especially in how He died.
Today’s text concisely summarizes Jesus earthly ministry. He did not come to earth to be just a good, moral teacher. He did not come to earth to be a political leader. He did not come to earth to a non-violent revolutionary.
In fact, the Son of Man did not come to be served. The phrase Son of Man is a Messianic title Jesus used of Himself. It was a title of His deity, His earthly mission, and His glorious return.
“It does not refer merely to his human nature or humanity, as some church fathers or contemporary scholars believe. Rather, it reflects on the heavenly origin and divine dignity of Jesus, on the mystery of his manifestation in human form, and on his earthly mission that took him to the cross and then into glory,” explains the Tyndale Bible Dictionary.
If anyone deserved to be served it was Jesus. However, He said He did not come to earth to be served but rather to serve (Mark 10:45). To be served (διακονηθῆναι; diakonethenai) means to be taken care of by someone else. To serve (διακονῆσαι; diakonesai) means to be the person who does the caring.
“This has always rightly been regarded as one of the most precious of Christ’s sayings. Note “just as,” clearly indicating that Christ’s humiliation in the place of, and for the benefit of, his people, must be both their example and their motivation. He is “the Son of man,” the fulfilment of the prophecy of Dan. 7:14,” states Dr. William Hendriksen.
“In himself and from all eternity he is the all-glorious One. Yet he humbles himself. He becomes incarnate, and this not with the purpose of being served but of serving.”
Jesus’ ultimate service was giving His life as a ransom for many. Ransom (λύτρον; lytron) is the means by which a release or deliverance is possible. It is the price of release for someone under the control of another.
“The term refers to the price paid to deliver someone from slavery or imprisonment. The price of freedom from sin and condemnation is Jesus’ life, given for us (I Peter 1:18-19). Since the elect are ransomed from the wrath of God, the ransom was offered to God Himself. Jesus drinks the cup of God’s wrath (vs. 23) not for His own sins but as the means of ransoming many,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
As one pastor explains, “Christians are servant-leaders because that is how their Master operates. He came to serve and give His life “as a ransom for many” (v. 28). Certainly, we cannot give our lives for others precisely as Jesus did since we cannot atone for sin. Yet we can imitate Christ’s service by not clutching tightly to any “rights” we think are ours, letting them go for the sake of another’s good. Like Jesus, we are able to see others as friends, not worthless subjects (John 15:13–15). We are not to think ourselves above “menial” tasks (13:1–17). Whatever it may look like in our lives, the only way to be great is to put the needs of others above our own.”
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 