091018

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Isaiah 52v13-53v12                     Suffering Servant

Job 38v1-7, (34-41)                    

Hebrews 5v1-10                    Jesus the Great High Priest

Mark 10v35-45               The Request of James and John

God’s Servant Ministry model!

The contrast of two ministry models, one held by the disciples and the other held by Jesus.

This passage Parallels Mark 9v33-35  “Who is the greatest?”

Both passages deal with true greatness and both follow a prediction of Jesus’ suffering and death.

Both also show how spiritually undiscerning the disciples were.

Jesus’s preference for the title “Son of Man”, (sermon 090913 Mark8v27-38) identifies him closely with the suffering servant nature of his calling.

However here we see the sharp contrast of the expectations of the disciples.

The Work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Prior to Pentecost, (the coming of the Holy Spirit), the disciples were concerned for their own manna, prestige and greatness. Peter even denies Jesus and the other disciples flee.

But after Pentecost (the receiving of the Holy Spirit) their lives and ministry were dramatically changed and turned around. We see great courage and self sacrifice as they became willing to lay down their lives for the Gospel.

This is truly the new birth of God’s Church having taken place in their hearts!

It is through this power of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, that has enabled God to build His church through earthenware vessels like you and I.

V42-45.Jesus contrasts for them the model of the rulers of the world and a servant ministry. “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve.”

The Cup and Baptism

V38. The cup of wine that Jesus mentions was a common metaphor for God’s wrath against human sin and rebellion.

Baptism likewise is a symbol of the cost of his ministry, a baptism unto death. Luke 12v50 and Rom 6v3-4.

By being baptised and taking communion we identify with Jesus, not just in the victory of His death for us over sin, but also in our willingness to be servants and die to ourselves.

Are you willing to drink his cup and to enter into His baptism?

Are you willing to be the servant of all?

Only as we continue to receive the Holy Spirit are we able to share His ministry.