There are many other scholars more knowledgeable than I that have done great in depth studies and theories on what I am about to write about. But, as I was reading this past week in the Gospel of Mark chapter ten and specifically verse 44 which states, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Christ made this statement just after some of the disciples had been displeased with James and John for asking to be able to sit on either side of Christ when He comes in His glory. Jesus tried to explain to them that they didn’t really know what they were asking for. They probably were still under the impression that Jesus was going to be setting up an earthly kingdom in their time and they were wanting to be His right (and left) hand men. Even though He had multiple times explained to them what would be happening to Him as in being handed over, killed, but will raise again.
He explained in the first part of verse 45 that He came not to be served, but to serve. He has great compassion and love for all and has a desire to help them find healing and deliverance. In verse 44 He stated that “whoever of you desires to be first shall be a servant to all.” Jesus taught about being servant leaders.
According to a 2022 study by Sendjaya and Sarros, “Servant leadership is being practiced in some of the top-ranking companies, and these companies are highly ranked because of their leadership style and following. Further research also confirms that servant leaders lead others to go beyond the call of duty.”
It was surprising to me that even when looking online to see what the history of this concept or business servant-leadership comes from it pulls up Mark chapter 10. Wikipedia states, “The roots of the concept can be seen in much earlier texts such as Mark 10:42-45 in the teaching of Jesus.”
The most important part of verse 45 is when Christ explained that His life would be a ransom for many. A ransom is a payment for a prisoner or someone held hostage. As I read that part of the verse I could see us all being held hostage by “the world” and our own selfish desires. The enemy of us who has had us bound or some still bound doesn’t really want the ransom. The enemy doesn’t want us to be free, but through our faith in the One who knows how to be a success will make us free through our turning to Him.
Then we too can take part in His successful business of telling others who are in bondage to sin, addictions, unforgiveness, anger, hatred, and the list could go on, of things that have people chained up and held hostage in their own minds of being able to find freedom.
TRS 3/10/24
Rays of Hope 