People Gathered Around a Teacher in a VillageBible World
20:28Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
The Son of man came not to demand service and honor as a king but to serve humanity and to give his life as a ransom for many. From birth to Calvary his whole life was spent in self-denying work for others' good and salvation, making service his food and drink and daily receiving from the Father to impart to the weary and afflicted. Only he who made man could redeem him, so as substitute and surety he bore human guilt and the death penalty of God's unchanging law, vindicating its holiness while opening pardon and eternal life to all who return to loyalty. In his kingdom true greatness is therefore measured not by rank and rule but by humble, self-sacrificing service to others. His followers are thus called to live not for self but for others, ministering to the weak and suffering and consecrating all they have to save souls.
Verse Setting and Wording
The saying was spoken at Capernaum after Jesus had told His disciples through Galilee that the Son of man would be delivered into the hands of men and be killed and rise the third day, and after they had disputed by the way who should be the greatest. When He asked them what they had disputed they held their peace, and He sat down and called the twelve and taught that if any desires to be first he shall be last of all and servant of all, because the Son of man came not to be ministered unto but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many. It belongs to His journey toward Jerusalem and His teaching about the sacrifice awaiting Him there. As He prepared the twelve He foretold His betrayal, abuse, death and resurrection, but they failed to understand because they expected the kingdom to be established soon in glory.
It concerns His first advent, not His coming as a conquering prince to sit on David's throne and gather the nations under His rule in power and great glory in the clouds of heaven, for that glory belongs to His second advent. Jewish teachers and disciples applied those scriptures to His first advent and expected altogether a different personage, boasting of the promises to Israel without the conditions of entire obedience and loyalty to the will and Word of God. Sin was the reason for subjection to heathen rulers and the withholding of favor and blessing, and this misapplication of Scripture was the foundation of the disciples' desire to be first. Notwithstanding His lessons the spirit of self-exaltation remained unsubdued and appeared whenever circumstances were favorable, so for this reason He opened before them His future suffering, shame and death, which Peter rebuked.
His whole life displayed this selfless service, and His actions taught the disciples this lesson that He came to serve rather than to be served. At the final Passover supper He reinforced it through an illustration that fixed the lesson in their minds and hearts, seen when He took the part of a servant in humiliation and washed His disciples' feet. That lowly serving work is the type of a higher cleansing, His work to wash all who receive Him from every stain of sin and from the sins of the carnal heart and to work for their purification. To refuse to let Him so minister is to refuse that higher cleansing and to reject Him and have no part with Him, while the truest humility thankfully receives every provision made in our behalf and then does earnest service for Him.
His voluntary death was the crowning sacrifice of His mission to a fallen world, offered for guilty humanity, for the sins of the world and for the life of the world. He came not to receive kingly honor but to serve in humiliation, bearing the burden of humanity, and to voluntarily offer His life as a ransom for guilty man. When nearing betrayal and hanging on the cross He deliberately entered Jerusalem with joyful royal honor at Passover time to call public attention to Himself as the world's Redeemer and to direct all eyes to His approaching sacrifice. By that entry He set Himself apart as the antitypical Lamb and oblation, so that in all future ages the church would make His death a subject of deep thought and study with every fact verified and would follow His rapid progress to the final end. After His crucifixion the church would connect His triumph with His trial and death and recognize Him as Messiah, while its royal honors faintly prefigured the glory of His future coming as Zion's King.
Christ's Life of Service
The verse means He came not to demand attention, reverence, or service as a king, but to serve and uplift humanity. He came without outward pomp, clothing His divinity with humanity, and did not demand service from others but came to work for their good. His life mission expressed deep reverence for human life and gives the pattern of unselfish service, so that when Christ takes possession of the heart self no longer occupies the center of thought and attention.
From birth to Calvary His life was devoted not to ease or self-interest but to serving others and securing the salvation of lost humanity. He accepted self-denial, difficult work, painful journeys, and exhausting care. His central purpose was to do God's will, complete His work, and give His life as the ransom for many, with everything else secondary to that purpose.
He lived not for Himself but for others, continually receiving from the Father in order to communicate to people. He lived and thought and prayed for others. Coming forth morning by morning from hours spent with God, He brought heaven's light to men, daily receiving a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit with soul and lips anointed with grace to impart fresh words from heaven in season to the weary and oppressed.
He served as His disciples' caretaker and burden-bearer, sharing their poverty, denying Himself for their sake, and going before them to make difficult places easier. Though Lord of heaven He took human weakness and infirmity and did not seek wealth, honor, or ease. He ministered to the needy and afflicted, even reaching the degraded and sinful with pardon and peace.
His service was His meat and drink, to be a comfort and consolation and to gladden the sad and heavy-laden He daily met. In sympathy and love He was kind to all and easily approached by the most lowly, so the poorest was not afraid to come to Him. With unfailing tenderness He met every form of human woe, going from house to house healing the sick, feeding the hungry, comforting mourners, soothing the afflicted, speaking peace to the distressed, taking little children in His arms and blessing them, and speaking hope to weary mothers. He identified His interest with suffering humanity, demonstrating God's goodness, mercy, and love, going about doing good and healing all oppressed of the devil.
His service began in childhood with compassionate ministry to bodily and spiritual suffering by kind words and imparted virtue. From childhood to manhood His life was a pattern of humility, industry, obedience, thoughtfulness, consideration, and self-denial, bearing heaven's signature.
Though heaven's King He willingly came to earth to do the work His Father gave Him, dignifying labor and making service honorable. Though equal with God He humbled Himself to become a servant to uplift fallen humanity and raise people to a higher life. He dwelt in wicked Nazareth, had lowly poor parents, labored with His hands as a carpenter to help sustain the family and willingly carried His share of its burdens, and was subject to His parents for thirty years. His work at the carpenter's trade puts God's seal on work as a blessing, honorable and approved, with useful employment of physical powers essential for health, and God gives every person work so none is idle.
His humility did not consist in a low estimate of His own character and qualifications, but in adapting Himself to fallen humanity in self-sacrifice for others' good. He clothed His divinity with humanity, became one with humanity, and endured the tempter's attacks. He showed that people can keep God's law and do His will through love, kindness, loyalty, and doing good rather than evil.
His work of service on earth continues as His work above. Those who work with Him in this world will have greater power and wider opportunity to serve with Him in the world to come, gaining fitness for it now. Those who live to serve others are preparing for companionship with angels who will welcome them in heaven.
His work was to serve rather than exercise coercive rule. His example establishes that ministers are to win people by persuasion and appeal, not compel or command them. Religious belief or nonbelief must remain a matter of freedom.
Ransom Death for Many
To give his life a ransom for many means he gave his life for lost humanity and the human race, bearing human sins and taking the sentence of death upon himself to open the way for pardon, so that by taking hold of the merits of his blood people can be forgiven for past transgressions, obey God's law, and be restored to the garden and access to the tree of life, and his willing self-denial in leaving the Father and accepting a life of suffering and an ignominious death gives life to others. Only he who created man had power to redeem him, so angels could not die in his place even though they gladly would, for an angel's life could not pay the debt for guilty humanity and only Jesus' life could be accepted by the Father. His spotless character and exalted office as commander of the heavenly host made him of greater worth than humanity, and being without blemish he alone could be an acceptable offering, bearing the weight of sin and suffering to save people.
Before the world was founded he pledged to give his life as a ransom if humanity turned from loyalty to God, humbling himself to serve fallen people and offering himself, his glory and his character to those who return to God and keep his law. His ransom does not abolish God's pure and holy law, for he lived it perfectly in human nature and vindicated it through obedience, to save people from sin and take away the sin of the world, not leave them in it. God's law remains unalterable and its claims are not set aside, and God's plan to save sinners and give everlasting life was accomplished without changing the holiness, justice or truth of his law, which God accepted, while fallen humanity held under Satan's power could be ransomed only by a mightier being who would conquer Satan. He did this as humanity's substitute, surety and mediator, for the guilt of all Adam's descendants was laid upon him and he was counted a transgressor to redeem them from the condemnation of the law, taking human sins and failures and satisfying the law's claims. His suffering came from bearing sin and experiencing the Father's withdrawn presence, not chiefly from physical pain or fear of death. His ransom made atonement and opened another trial in which people may come under God's rule through obedience and faith, giving himself especially for those most in need, including the neglected and those regarded as least worthy, dealing with weakness and sin with tenderness and compassion. The eternal Son, one with the Deity yet clothed with humanity, stooped beneath the burden of the whole race on Calvary as wonderful counsellor and mysterious victim. He interposed to bear the punishment of transgression and suffer God's wrath for it, giving himself as ransom so transgressors might have another trial and be brought into the Father's favor. The greatness of that ransom is seen in that God's dear Son suffered, the earth shook at the sight, and the heavens were clothed in sackcloth to hide the divine sufferer.
Death is the punishment for breaking God's law, and God's righteousness required the penalty to be inflicted to maintain the law. By the death of God's only begotten Son the law of God's government was magnified and declared holy and just and good, sin was made to appear exceeding sinful, and the honor and majesty of divine authority were upheld. By voluntarily laying aside his glory and taking human nature that could suffer, being without any taint of disloyalty or sin, he bore the justice of the punishment, triumphed on man's behalf, and secured eternal life for men while exalting the law and making it honorable. His sacrifice satisfied the principles of justice governing God's kingdom and gave him the right to free people from Satan's grasp, and by remaining loyal to what is right he conquered the deceiver and saves all who accept him as Saviour. By his death he ransoms many, destroys him who has the power of death, and recovers the kingdom man lost so the redeemed inherit it with him and dwell there forever. He blots out sin and sinners so they never again disturb heaven or earth, reconciles fallen people to God, and exalts them to live with him in heaven and the purified new earth.
The glory and blessedness of a world renewed outweighs the anguish and sacrifice of the Prince of Life and fills heaven with joy. He suffered on humanity's behalf and overcame Satan, who had brought the human family under his power through disobedience to God's law and unjustly claimed them as his subjects, taking people from the enemy and removing the barriers to their return to allegiance to God. His innocent blood shed for the guilty freed humanity from eternal death and sealed the devil's doom, settling Satan's power and doom through his victory in the conflict. His victory does not make people immune to Satan's influence, for selfish indulgence and appetite can weaken their powers and lead them to cooperate with Satan by breaking nature's laws, which is breaking God's law. The ransom was paid to rescue people from bondage to sin and from slavery to a master who does not care for them but only uses them as agents in the ruin of souls.
Adam's first sin offering pointed forward to his death, for the innocent victim's death taught that sin required death and only the death of God's Son could expiate human guilt, revealing God's infinite goodness and love and giving hope for salvation. He is the Lamb slain to which all Jewish sacrificial offerings pointed, and in his self-offering shadow reached substance and type met antitype, so no sacrificial offerings would be accepted after his death. His finished work was announced on the cross with the cry that it is finished when the veil before the Most Holy Place was torn in two, and after dying he rose proclaiming himself the Resurrection and the life who lives forever. He paid that ransom on the cross and was to taste death for every person, and his saving work extends to all who accept the privilege of returning to loyalty to God, with each rescue from Satan's power, including raising Lazarus, pointing toward the humiliation and death he would endure. Through his death fallen humanity can be redeemed, regain favor with God, receive eternal life, escape the bondage of sin, and receive pardon, purity and heaven.
The atonement is complete, and faith in him as a complete Saviour gives assurance that the Father loves believers as he loves his Son, while its value is to be appreciated. His ransom love is so great that he would have given his life even if only the little company listening, or even only one person, could have been saved, and by a life of self-sacrifice and a shameful death he redeemed the fallen race, buying every member of the human race with an infinite price. His life was given personally for each believer as the gift of the divine Son one with the Father, showing souls so precious that he gave this supreme gift for their salvation, to ransom people from the power of the grave. That price gives each soul great value, so one in the wrong or in danger should be warned plainly in kindness and love and not hurt by suspicion, criticism and thrusts behind the back, for the devil will do his utmost to ruin the soul and none should help him by opposition and unchristian influence. His coming also meant taking humanity's sins and bearing its guilt so people might receive his righteousness by faith and stand innocent before God, for his life was given for the world.
His death is the sinner's only ransom, the infinite sacrifice made when the time was fulfilled, through which divinity was communicated to humanity in the divine-human Saviour. His purpose mattered more to him than suffering or the joys of heaven, and no worldly attraction could turn him from it, calling his followers to do good and be willing to suffer for his sake. His self-denial, self-sacrifice, humiliation, shame and reproach paid the ransom, and after the redeemed are taken to heaven the Father will be glorified in crowning him because he gave his life as that ransom. His innocent death was an atoning sacrifice in which he bore the guilt of every transgressor, and he alone could atone for human guilt, so that he could have saved every Israelite who chose to come to him, in whom is eternal life. People cannot save themselves, and he alone can cleanse from sin, yet through this gift every family, father, mother and children may be saved.
His sacrifice fully revealed his love for the lost race, and because God gave his Son to die, believers are to seek purity like his, trust him to save them, and recognize that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in him bodily. His loving sacrifice is the ground of the divine help by which they can overcome, and love for him must be proved by keeping his commandments. His life was given as a ransom sufficient for all, but it benefits those who become new creatures in Christ and are loyal to God's kingdom and does not shield an unrepentant, disloyal sinner from punishment. The ransom freely offers salvation, revealing God as both merciful and just, but God's covenant stands fast only for those who comply with conditions plainly revealed in the Word and accept the terms, and neglect to secure it is venturesome presumption, for though the Lord bears long with wickedness and transgression, his forbearance reaches its limit and he will then punish transgressors.
Greatness Through Humble Service
His kingdom rejects worldly rank and authority, for greatness there is shown in serving and its chief place belongs to the servant. Strife for supremacy has no place in it, all are brethren and all servants are equal, and the only greatness recognized is humility and devotion to serving others. He humbled himself to become God's servant, submitting to abasement and self-sacrifice even to death to give freedom and life and a place in his kingdom to those who believe. His self-sacrificing love is the pattern for disciples, who are called to live and labor for others' salvation even at the cost of their lives.
Whoever would be great must minister to others, and whoever would be chief must be their servant. If any desires to be first he shall be last of all and servant of all, for the Son of man came not to be ministered unto but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many. His greatness was expressed in serving rather than seeking honor or position, and his example makes humble service the path to true greatness. The one who would be greatest must serve others following his example. Ambition for the highest place opposes that example and leads people away from him, while humility and service to God through serving others are marks of Christlikeness honored in God's kingdom. His self-sacrificing service should make those continually seeking to be first and striving for supremacy ashamed of their course.
He who humbles himself shall be exalted and he who exalts himself shall be abased. He who seeks to serve others by self-denial and self-sacrifice is given character that commends itself to God and develops wisdom, true patience, forbearance, kindness and compassion, and this gives him the chiefest place in the kingdom. His greatness was expressed in humble service, not worldly dignity, honor or rule, and his life on earth was marked by poverty and rejection of worldly authority. The disciples' desire for worldly honor went against his example, so even apostles are not to be followed where they depart from his way. His followers, including those who lead, are measured by how closely they follow his life and manner, not by rank or authority.
His kingdom is not a worldly kingdom where all strive for the highest position, but a kingdom of humility and self-sacrifice for others' good. While worldly people strive to exalt themselves above one another, he humbled himself to uplift man, and every true disciple follows his example. His humility did not consist in a low estimate of his own character and qualifications, but in adapting himself to fallen humanity in order to raise people to a higher life. That following is lived out when mothers feel the sacredness of their mission and honor God by faithful duty instead of vying with wealthy neighbors in appearance, and when right principles of temperance are implanted in youth to give firmness and moral control to resist last-days temptations in his strength.
His example teaches his followers to serve others and be servants to all, not imitate worldly authority or seek rank, for in his kingdom all are brethren. True greatness is marked by genuine humility and dependence on God, practiced in treating one another with love instead of seeking rank or honor. He rejected the pursuit of highest place, rebuked selfishness, and told status-seekers that all are brethren. His way of true greatness is humble service, not seeking to be first or ruling over others. His example calls his followers to put self aside, esteem others and serve unselfishly, giving up seeking human recognition and supremacy to seek God's favor instead, and this unity testifies to the power of truth. Greatness in his kingdom is expressed through service rather than rivalry or pursuit of supremacy, calling his followers, including physicians, to humble cooperation and service.
He, the Majesty of heaven, became a servant and is the pattern for true excellence. True greatness is not belittling others' labors but excelling in good works and manifesting unselfish interest for others, with the same mind that dwelt in him, in meekness, devotion, consecration and humility rather than pride and self-conceit. His servanthood meant not avoiding weariness but traveling on foot from place to place and teaching by the wayside. Those who serve in this spirit find genuine place and dignity in the hearts of God's people, with God blessing and caring for them.
Pattern for Ministers and Leaders
Christ came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many, and that self-giving service is the model for a shepherd's care for the flock, especially for those who are tempted, afflicted, or discouraged. A true shepherd cares with wisdom, tenderness, courtesy, and compassion, bears the weaknesses of others, anticipates needs, and takes responsibility for their welfare instead of choosing only convenient work. He does not seek sympathy and service for himself but gives tender concern to others.
Those who would be great or chief in God's church must serve others as true shepherds. Those entering God's service are called to serve others and to care actively for people in spiritual peril, praying for their salvation and pleading with God to save them. Taking that peril seriously and seeking to help rather than expecting to be served is what serving in God's work means.
A minister's true honor and glory lies not in the number of sermons preached or writings produced, but in faithfully serving people's needs, understanding them and meeting them. A faithful minister watches at every outpost to warn, reprove, counsel, entreat and encourage, laboring with the Spirit working mightily within to present every person perfect in Christ. Neglecting this serving work disqualifies him from the name of minister and leaves him no right to be called one, while doing it is acknowledged in heaven as following the great Exemplar.
His order of ministry is service rather than self-exaltation. Ministers follow his example by faithfully doing the small, everyday duties that help others instead of seeking prominent work while refusing the effort and discipline that prepare them for it. A minister's calling includes personal service, not preaching alone, requiring him to follow up with hearers and labor for them even when the work is self-sacrificing.
For those who lead, his example is to serve rather than seek power over others or exercise kingly control. Those who rule in his kingdom must be under God's authority, able to govern themselves and obedient to God's commandments, for his kingdom is governed by justice, mercy and love. Those entrusted with authority should recognize their weakness and depend on God, reject selfishness and greed, and walk humbly with God, for true higher education leads away from self-exaltation and domineering rule.
Though Prince of heaven he laid aside his royal robe and kingly crown and became a member of a lowly earthly family as a living example of meekness and humility, opening the way for even the most lowly to approach him as friend. Therefore a position of influence gives no power to rule over brethren, no justification for acting as if one's work is of greatest importance and one's word must be obeyed, and no right to take God's place by bringing members under servile control. Such servile control appears when ministers, teachers, physicians, or others in responsibility grasp so much authority that members must consult them in minor movements, and his example stands against arbitrary rule, against attempting to take God's place, and against making human beings subject to another's control or oppression.
Serving contrasts with being served and with exercising ruling power over others. Domination and human authority that dictates another believer's individual duty or spiritual experience are to be rejected, as seen in the charge that the one claiming to be a servant acted as a tyrant while seeking to rule as lord over others. No kingly power is to control the church as a whole or any branch of its work, and the burden of leadership is not to rest on a few men but to be distributed among many competent men, with every conference, institution, church and individual having a voice in electing those who bear chief responsibilities.
Men called to important positions are not called to rule or take too much authority to themselves, but to live in humble dependence on God, plan and counsel with fellow workers, and keep themselves accountable to God's requirements. Service, not control, is the model for responsibility in God's work. His followers are not to dictate to or dominate fellow workers, but to walk humbly with God, rejecting selfishness, greed, arrogance, impatience and overbearing conduct.
Those entrusted with authority must not use it to dominate or oppress fellow workers, and their position makes it especially important to model true Christianity and exert a refining influence for good. His example and claims rebuke every form of selfishness and oppression and call for mercy, patience, forbearance and unselfish service. A person in command who lacks self-control and acts oppressively places himself below a servant, while a leader and steward represents his Master and should show patience, kindness, long-suffering love, honesty and self-denial, remembering he is a servant.
His followers are not to control or command other people as if they belonged to them, for those who accept the truth are his, not any human leader's. Ministers must not demand a church that obeys their own wishes or wisdom, but work in his meekness and lowliness. When his Spirit shapes the heart they do not seek supremacy or act as reigning lords, and Christian principles produce harmony and peace. Although he was Lord and Master he served others on earth, calling his followers to set self aside and do humble work for others.
He came to serve rather than rule for personal advantage. His pattern of service and self-giving is to be imitated through broad sympathy rather than jealousy or an exclusive spirit, as shown when pastors in the valleys cared for and guided their people. As Creator and Redeemer who gave his life to purchase humanity he claims people's service, ruling out striving for superiority and calling Christians to work under his direction for others' good.
Believers Call to Serve
The verse sets the work all Christians must do while on earth. It requires an abiding sense of being in the Lord's service wherever they go and whatever they do, ministering to the weak, the helpless, and the ignorant. It forbids selfish motives, self-exaltation, seeking the highest place without regard for others, and expecting to be specially favored, and those attitudes miss its meaning. Living it means having the principles of God's law imprinted on the heart and carried into every phase of life, so that they minister to others for Christ's sake and help fellow men in every possible way, because God created people to live in a world where unselfish service must be performed.
Love gives instead of seeking to be served, and serving rather than being served is the great lesson followers are to learn and to teach. He came to serve rather than to receive service or to seek service for himself, and this is the true service God gives the human family to render. His life is the pattern for living for others, and following His example in word and deed leads people in the way of righteousness. His life on earth was true, unselfish ministry, demonstrating that self-serving does not bring happiness and rightly representing the Father's character.
God gives each person work according to the ability entrusted, to be used to meet others' needs and communicate light. As they faithfully use what they have and rely fully on God, their ability increases and God strengthens them when needed, teaching and guiding them and making them channels of light to others. He did not seek His own pleasure or ease but took the form of a servant and spent His life doing good and saving others from suffering, and His selfless service calls His followers to use their abilities to help where help is needed and willingly bear burdens and responsibilities in God's work. His sacrifice calls for persistent efforts to save those ready to perish, trying another way when one means fails.
His ministry of service rather than seeking to be served makes Him an example to follow in diligent, useful work and service to others. His coming also meant taking humanity's sins and bearing its guilt so that people might receive His righteousness by faith and stand innocent before God, for His life was given for the world. Earnest service is nothing to be ashamed of, even for those who have plenty of money to handle, and His work at the carpenter's trade to help support His family puts God's seal on work as a blessing, honorable, praiseworthy, approved and blessed of God, with useful employment of all the physical powers essential for health, and God gives every person his own work to do so no one is idle. His followers should imitate Him in their work, speech, and conduct, trusting Him to help and guide them as they serve, and following His example leads to an everlasting reward. Those whom God is leading out and fitting for translation must imitate Him by becoming servants of all, standing as sentinels for God and uniting their forces instead of working selfishly and independently, sowing kindness, love, tenderness and tender thoughtfulness toward others and carefully preserving the respect and dignity of others, knowing they will reap for eternal life whatever they sow, whether distrust, envy, jealousy, self-love and bitterness or kindness and love.
His humility in coming to serve others rather than be served calls His followers to seek others' happiness and do them good, and imitating Him in this service brings happiness. Those joined to Him are to minister to others by seeking their happiness, easing their sorrows, and relieving their distress, and doing this is a duty God requires and necessary to loyalty to Him. His life of service is a revelation of God's love, and His followers are to continue that work by helping and strengthening one another. Life is a sacred trust from God to be spent ministering to others, and the call to service is a call to die to self and seek the good of others, for unselfish service brings true happiness.
His gift of Himself as a ransom calls for wholehearted consecration, with no person, time, property, talent, or service held back from Him, and even deepest homage and best service are too small a return for the Redeemer. He willingly gave His life to ransom people from sin and degradation and to redeem them, and those He has redeemed are urged to serve Him. His self-giving example calls His followers to reject selfishness and worldliness, live for others, give cheerfully, and use entrusted resources to help save others, and offerings pledged under the influence of His love and mercy should not be withdrawn when that influence is less strongly felt. Being imbued with His Spirit means valuing people as He valued them and working as He worked without failing or becoming discouraged, seeing open doors through which mercy and grace continually flow, gazing on the cross and measuring the worth of souls by the cost of redemption, and sharing His intense earnestness to save the perishing who do not know God, with His love, pity and tenderness breaking down every barrier, drawing men, women and youth to respond to truth and offer themselves to share His burden, and constraining them to partake with Him in self-denial and sufferings.
His service is the aim and standard for medical studies. Young women should be taught usefulness and service to others instead of expecting others to wait on them. Young people should be trained to be useful and to help and serve others, rather than expect others to wait on them.
His life of submission to God made His service an example of humility and self-denial, and His followers must surrender self to God and serve with humility, even through privation and suffering, if they are to share His glory. His example calls His followers to surrender self, submit to God's will, and accept sacrifice and hardship in serving Him. He laid aside His glory, majesty, and riches, took human nature, and gave Himself to save fallen humanity and the lost. They are to humble themselves, deny self, work with Him to save souls, and share with others the grace they have received. His life is a pattern of humble service and nonretaliation, for when insulted and made to suffer He did not answer abuse or threaten but entrusted Himself to the righteous Judge, and His followers dishonor Him when they defend their own dignity and resent every slight, so they should be willing to suffer wrong rather than retaliate or give vent to anger.
His spirit is one of service rather than self-seeking, and it contrasts with pride, display, and using one's means for personal pleasure, so professed believers dishonor His cause when their conduct lacks His spirit of service and harms their influence. His life of doing good and His self-sacrifice are the example His followers are to follow, and selfishness, self-serving and worldliness are inconsistent with being a Christian. His purpose mattered more to Him than suffering or the joys of heaven, and no worldly attraction could turn Him from it, and His self-giving example calls His followers to do good and be willing to suffer for His sake. His sacrifice calls His followers to pity and help those who are fallen and sinful, not to claim authority over fellow believers and hurt them. His example of ministry contrasts with a desire to be waited upon and calls for being helpful and bearing others' burdens.
Those who follow His example show tender compassion and unselfish interest, helping one another grow in love and good works, for His sacrifice fully revealed His love for the lost race. Because God gave His Son to die for them, those who believe in Him are to seek purity like His, and they may trust Him to save them and recognize that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him bodily. His loving sacrifice is the ground of the divine help by which they can overcome. Love for Him as the Saviour who gave His life to pay the price to free believers must be proved to the world by keeping His commandments.
The Son of man came not to demand service and honor as a king but to serve humanity and to give his life as a ransom for many. From birth to Calvary his whole life was spent in self-denying work for others' good and salvation, making service his food and drink and daily receiving from the Father to impart to the weary and afflicted. Only he who made man could redeem him, so as substitute and surety he bore human guilt and the death penalty of God's unchanging law, vindicating its holiness while opening pardon and eternal life to all who return to loyalty. In his kingdom true greatness is therefore measured not by rank and rule but by humble, self-sacrificing service to others. His followers are thus called to live not for self but for others, ministering to the weak and suffering and consecrating all they have to save souls.
Verse Setting and Wording
The saying was spoken at Capernaum after Jesus had told His disciples through Galilee that the Son of man would be delivered into the hands of men and be killed and rise the third day, and after they had disputed by the way who should be the greatest. When He asked them what they had disputed they held their peace, and He sat down and called the twelve and taught that if any desires to be first he shall be last of all and servant of all, because the Son of man came not to be ministered unto but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many. It belongs to His journey toward Jerusalem and His teaching about the sacrifice awaiting Him there. As He prepared the twelve He foretold His betrayal, abuse, death and resurrection, but they failed to understand because they expected the kingdom to be established soon in glory.
It concerns His first advent, not His coming as a conquering prince to sit on David's throne and gather the nations under His rule in power and great glory in the clouds of heaven, for that glory belongs to His second advent. Jewish teachers and disciples applied those scriptures to His first advent and expected altogether a different personage, boasting of the promises to Israel without the conditions of entire obedience and loyalty to the will and Word of God. Sin was the reason for subjection to heathen rulers and the withholding of favor and blessing, and this misapplication of Scripture was the foundation of the disciples' desire to be first. Notwithstanding His lessons the spirit of self-exaltation remained unsubdued and appeared whenever circumstances were favorable, so for this reason He opened before them His future suffering, shame and death, which Peter rebuked.
His whole life displayed this selfless service, and His actions taught the disciples this lesson that He came to serve rather than to be served. At the final Passover supper He reinforced it through an illustration that fixed the lesson in their minds and hearts, seen when He took the part of a servant in humiliation and washed His disciples' feet. That lowly serving work is the type of a higher cleansing, His work to wash all who receive Him from every stain of sin and from the sins of the carnal heart and to work for their purification. To refuse to let Him so minister is to refuse that higher cleansing and to reject Him and have no part with Him, while the truest humility thankfully receives every provision made in our behalf and then does earnest service for Him.
His voluntary death was the crowning sacrifice of His mission to a fallen world, offered for guilty humanity, for the sins of the world and for the life of the world. He came not to receive kingly honor but to serve in humiliation, bearing the burden of humanity, and to voluntarily offer His life as a ransom for guilty man. When nearing betrayal and hanging on the cross He deliberately entered Jerusalem with joyful royal honor at Passover time to call public attention to Himself as the world's Redeemer and to direct all eyes to His approaching sacrifice. By that entry He set Himself apart as the antitypical Lamb and oblation, so that in all future ages the church would make His death a subject of deep thought and study with every fact verified and would follow His rapid progress to the final end. After His crucifixion the church would connect His triumph with His trial and death and recognize Him as Messiah, while its royal honors faintly prefigured the glory of His future coming as Zion's King.
Christ's Life of Service
The verse means He came not to demand attention, reverence, or service as a king, but to serve and uplift humanity. He came without outward pomp, clothing His divinity with humanity, and did not demand service from others but came to work for their good. His life mission expressed deep reverence for human life and gives the pattern of unselfish service, so that when Christ takes possession of the heart self no longer occupies the center of thought and attention.
From birth to Calvary His life was devoted not to ease or self-interest but to serving others and securing the salvation of lost humanity. He accepted self-denial, difficult work, painful journeys, and exhausting care. His central purpose was to do God's will, complete His work, and give His life as the ransom for many, with everything else secondary to that purpose.
He lived not for Himself but for others, continually receiving from the Father in order to communicate to people. He lived and thought and prayed for others. Coming forth morning by morning from hours spent with God, He brought heaven's light to men, daily receiving a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit with soul and lips anointed with grace to impart fresh words from heaven in season to the weary and oppressed.
He served as His disciples' caretaker and burden-bearer, sharing their poverty, denying Himself for their sake, and going before them to make difficult places easier. Though Lord of heaven He took human weakness and infirmity and did not seek wealth, honor, or ease. He ministered to the needy and afflicted, even reaching the degraded and sinful with pardon and peace.
His service was His meat and drink, to be a comfort and consolation and to gladden the sad and heavy-laden He daily met. In sympathy and love He was kind to all and easily approached by the most lowly, so the poorest was not afraid to come to Him. With unfailing tenderness He met every form of human woe, going from house to house healing the sick, feeding the hungry, comforting mourners, soothing the afflicted, speaking peace to the distressed, taking little children in His arms and blessing them, and speaking hope to weary mothers. He identified His interest with suffering humanity, demonstrating God's goodness, mercy, and love, going about doing good and healing all oppressed of the devil.
His service began in childhood with compassionate ministry to bodily and spiritual suffering by kind words and imparted virtue. From childhood to manhood His life was a pattern of humility, industry, obedience, thoughtfulness, consideration, and self-denial, bearing heaven's signature.
Though heaven's King He willingly came to earth to do the work His Father gave Him, dignifying labor and making service honorable. Though equal with God He humbled Himself to become a servant to uplift fallen humanity and raise people to a higher life. He dwelt in wicked Nazareth, had lowly poor parents, labored with His hands as a carpenter to help sustain the family and willingly carried His share of its burdens, and was subject to His parents for thirty years. His work at the carpenter's trade puts God's seal on work as a blessing, honorable and approved, with useful employment of physical powers essential for health, and God gives every person work so none is idle.
His humility did not consist in a low estimate of His own character and qualifications, but in adapting Himself to fallen humanity in self-sacrifice for others' good. He clothed His divinity with humanity, became one with humanity, and endured the tempter's attacks. He showed that people can keep God's law and do His will through love, kindness, loyalty, and doing good rather than evil.
His work of service on earth continues as His work above. Those who work with Him in this world will have greater power and wider opportunity to serve with Him in the world to come, gaining fitness for it now. Those who live to serve others are preparing for companionship with angels who will welcome them in heaven.
His work was to serve rather than exercise coercive rule. His example establishes that ministers are to win people by persuasion and appeal, not compel or command them. Religious belief or nonbelief must remain a matter of freedom.
Ransom Death for Many
To give his life a ransom for many means he gave his life for lost humanity and the human race, bearing human sins and taking the sentence of death upon himself to open the way for pardon, so that by taking hold of the merits of his blood people can be forgiven for past transgressions, obey God's law, and be restored to the garden and access to the tree of life, and his willing self-denial in leaving the Father and accepting a life of suffering and an ignominious death gives life to others.
Only he who created man had power to redeem him, so angels could not die in his place even though they gladly would, for an angel's life could not pay the debt for guilty humanity and only Jesus' life could be accepted by the Father.
His spotless character and exalted office as commander of the heavenly host made him of greater worth than humanity, and being without blemish he alone could be an acceptable offering, bearing the weight of sin and suffering to save people.
Before the world was founded he pledged to give his life as a ransom if humanity turned from loyalty to God, humbling himself to serve fallen people and offering himself, his glory and his character to those who return to God and keep his law.
His ransom does not abolish God's pure and holy law, for he lived it perfectly in human nature and vindicated it through obedience, to save people from sin and take away the sin of the world, not leave them in it.
God's law remains unalterable and its claims are not set aside, and God's plan to save sinners and give everlasting life was accomplished without changing the holiness, justice or truth of his law, which God accepted, while fallen humanity held under Satan's power could be ransomed only by a mightier being who would conquer Satan.
He did this as humanity's substitute, surety and mediator, for the guilt of all Adam's descendants was laid upon him and he was counted a transgressor to redeem them from the condemnation of the law, taking human sins and failures and satisfying the law's claims.
His suffering came from bearing sin and experiencing the Father's withdrawn presence, not chiefly from physical pain or fear of death.
His ransom made atonement and opened another trial in which people may come under God's rule through obedience and faith, giving himself especially for those most in need, including the neglected and those regarded as least worthy, dealing with weakness and sin with tenderness and compassion.
The eternal Son, one with the Deity yet clothed with humanity, stooped beneath the burden of the whole race on Calvary as wonderful counsellor and mysterious victim.
He interposed to bear the punishment of transgression and suffer God's wrath for it, giving himself as ransom so transgressors might have another trial and be brought into the Father's favor.
The greatness of that ransom is seen in that God's dear Son suffered, the earth shook at the sight, and the heavens were clothed in sackcloth to hide the divine sufferer.
Death is the punishment for breaking God's law, and God's righteousness required the penalty to be inflicted to maintain the law.
By the death of God's only begotten Son the law of God's government was magnified and declared holy and just and good, sin was made to appear exceeding sinful, and the honor and majesty of divine authority were upheld.
By voluntarily laying aside his glory and taking human nature that could suffer, being without any taint of disloyalty or sin, he bore the justice of the punishment, triumphed on man's behalf, and secured eternal life for men while exalting the law and making it honorable.
His sacrifice satisfied the principles of justice governing God's kingdom and gave him the right to free people from Satan's grasp, and by remaining loyal to what is right he conquered the deceiver and saves all who accept him as Saviour.
By his death he ransoms many, destroys him who has the power of death, and recovers the kingdom man lost so the redeemed inherit it with him and dwell there forever.
He blots out sin and sinners so they never again disturb heaven or earth, reconciles fallen people to God, and exalts them to live with him in heaven and the purified new earth.
The glory and blessedness of a world renewed outweighs the anguish and sacrifice of the Prince of Life and fills heaven with joy.
He suffered on humanity's behalf and overcame Satan, who had brought the human family under his power through disobedience to God's law and unjustly claimed them as his subjects, taking people from the enemy and removing the barriers to their return to allegiance to God.
His innocent blood shed for the guilty freed humanity from eternal death and sealed the devil's doom, settling Satan's power and doom through his victory in the conflict.
His victory does not make people immune to Satan's influence, for selfish indulgence and appetite can weaken their powers and lead them to cooperate with Satan by breaking nature's laws, which is breaking God's law.
The ransom was paid to rescue people from bondage to sin and from slavery to a master who does not care for them but only uses them as agents in the ruin of souls.
Adam's first sin offering pointed forward to his death, for the innocent victim's death taught that sin required death and only the death of God's Son could expiate human guilt, revealing God's infinite goodness and love and giving hope for salvation.
He is the Lamb slain to which all Jewish sacrificial offerings pointed, and in his self-offering shadow reached substance and type met antitype, so no sacrificial offerings would be accepted after his death.
His finished work was announced on the cross with the cry that it is finished when the veil before the Most Holy Place was torn in two, and after dying he rose proclaiming himself the Resurrection and the life who lives forever.
He paid that ransom on the cross and was to taste death for every person, and his saving work extends to all who accept the privilege of returning to loyalty to God, with each rescue from Satan's power, including raising Lazarus, pointing toward the humiliation and death he would endure.
Through his death fallen humanity can be redeemed, regain favor with God, receive eternal life, escape the bondage of sin, and receive pardon, purity and heaven.
The atonement is complete, and faith in him as a complete Saviour gives assurance that the Father loves believers as he loves his Son, while its value is to be appreciated.
His ransom love is so great that he would have given his life even if only the little company listening, or even only one person, could have been saved, and by a life of self-sacrifice and a shameful death he redeemed the fallen race, buying every member of the human race with an infinite price.
His life was given personally for each believer as the gift of the divine Son one with the Father, showing souls so precious that he gave this supreme gift for their salvation, to ransom people from the power of the grave.
That price gives each soul great value, so one in the wrong or in danger should be warned plainly in kindness and love and not hurt by suspicion, criticism and thrusts behind the back, for the devil will do his utmost to ruin the soul and none should help him by opposition and unchristian influence.
His coming also meant taking humanity's sins and bearing its guilt so people might receive his righteousness by faith and stand innocent before God, for his life was given for the world.
His death is the sinner's only ransom, the infinite sacrifice made when the time was fulfilled, through which divinity was communicated to humanity in the divine-human Saviour.
His purpose mattered more to him than suffering or the joys of heaven, and no worldly attraction could turn him from it, calling his followers to do good and be willing to suffer for his sake.
His self-denial, self-sacrifice, humiliation, shame and reproach paid the ransom, and after the redeemed are taken to heaven the Father will be glorified in crowning him because he gave his life as that ransom.
His innocent death was an atoning sacrifice in which he bore the guilt of every transgressor, and he alone could atone for human guilt, so that he could have saved every Israelite who chose to come to him, in whom is eternal life.
People cannot save themselves, and he alone can cleanse from sin, yet through this gift every family, father, mother and children may be saved.
His sacrifice fully revealed his love for the lost race, and because God gave his Son to die, believers are to seek purity like his, trust him to save them, and recognize that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in him bodily.
His loving sacrifice is the ground of the divine help by which they can overcome, and love for him must be proved by keeping his commandments.
His life was given as a ransom sufficient for all, but it benefits those who become new creatures in Christ and are loyal to God's kingdom and does not shield an unrepentant, disloyal sinner from punishment.
The ransom freely offers salvation, revealing God as both merciful and just, but God's covenant stands fast only for those who comply with conditions plainly revealed in the Word and accept the terms, and neglect to secure it is venturesome presumption, for though the Lord bears long with wickedness and transgression, his forbearance reaches its limit and he will then punish transgressors.
Greatness Through Humble Service
His kingdom rejects worldly rank and authority, for greatness there is shown in serving and its chief place belongs to the servant. Strife for supremacy has no place in it, all are brethren and all servants are equal, and the only greatness recognized is humility and devotion to serving others. He humbled himself to become God's servant, submitting to abasement and self-sacrifice even to death to give freedom and life and a place in his kingdom to those who believe. His self-sacrificing love is the pattern for disciples, who are called to live and labor for others' salvation even at the cost of their lives.
Whoever would be great must minister to others, and whoever would be chief must be their servant. If any desires to be first he shall be last of all and servant of all, for the Son of man came not to be ministered unto but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many. His greatness was expressed in serving rather than seeking honor or position, and his example makes humble service the path to true greatness. The one who would be greatest must serve others following his example. Ambition for the highest place opposes that example and leads people away from him, while humility and service to God through serving others are marks of Christlikeness honored in God's kingdom. His self-sacrificing service should make those continually seeking to be first and striving for supremacy ashamed of their course.
He who humbles himself shall be exalted and he who exalts himself shall be abased. He who seeks to serve others by self-denial and self-sacrifice is given character that commends itself to God and develops wisdom, true patience, forbearance, kindness and compassion, and this gives him the chiefest place in the kingdom. His greatness was expressed in humble service, not worldly dignity, honor or rule, and his life on earth was marked by poverty and rejection of worldly authority. The disciples' desire for worldly honor went against his example, so even apostles are not to be followed where they depart from his way. His followers, including those who lead, are measured by how closely they follow his life and manner, not by rank or authority.
His kingdom is not a worldly kingdom where all strive for the highest position, but a kingdom of humility and self-sacrifice for others' good. While worldly people strive to exalt themselves above one another, he humbled himself to uplift man, and every true disciple follows his example. His humility did not consist in a low estimate of his own character and qualifications, but in adapting himself to fallen humanity in order to raise people to a higher life. That following is lived out when mothers feel the sacredness of their mission and honor God by faithful duty instead of vying with wealthy neighbors in appearance, and when right principles of temperance are implanted in youth to give firmness and moral control to resist last-days temptations in his strength.
His example teaches his followers to serve others and be servants to all, not imitate worldly authority or seek rank, for in his kingdom all are brethren. True greatness is marked by genuine humility and dependence on God, practiced in treating one another with love instead of seeking rank or honor. He rejected the pursuit of highest place, rebuked selfishness, and told status-seekers that all are brethren. His way of true greatness is humble service, not seeking to be first or ruling over others. His example calls his followers to put self aside, esteem others and serve unselfishly, giving up seeking human recognition and supremacy to seek God's favor instead, and this unity testifies to the power of truth. Greatness in his kingdom is expressed through service rather than rivalry or pursuit of supremacy, calling his followers, including physicians, to humble cooperation and service.
He, the Majesty of heaven, became a servant and is the pattern for true excellence. True greatness is not belittling others' labors but excelling in good works and manifesting unselfish interest for others, with the same mind that dwelt in him, in meekness, devotion, consecration and humility rather than pride and self-conceit. His servanthood meant not avoiding weariness but traveling on foot from place to place and teaching by the wayside. Those who serve in this spirit find genuine place and dignity in the hearts of God's people, with God blessing and caring for them.
Pattern for Ministers and Leaders
Christ came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many, and that self-giving service is the model for a shepherd's care for the flock, especially for those who are tempted, afflicted, or discouraged. A true shepherd cares with wisdom, tenderness, courtesy, and compassion, bears the weaknesses of others, anticipates needs, and takes responsibility for their welfare instead of choosing only convenient work. He does not seek sympathy and service for himself but gives tender concern to others.
Those who would be great or chief in God's church must serve others as true shepherds. Those entering God's service are called to serve others and to care actively for people in spiritual peril, praying for their salvation and pleading with God to save them. Taking that peril seriously and seeking to help rather than expecting to be served is what serving in God's work means.
A minister's true honor and glory lies not in the number of sermons preached or writings produced, but in faithfully serving people's needs, understanding them and meeting them. A faithful minister watches at every outpost to warn, reprove, counsel, entreat and encourage, laboring with the Spirit working mightily within to present every person perfect in Christ. Neglecting this serving work disqualifies him from the name of minister and leaves him no right to be called one, while doing it is acknowledged in heaven as following the great Exemplar.
His order of ministry is service rather than self-exaltation. Ministers follow his example by faithfully doing the small, everyday duties that help others instead of seeking prominent work while refusing the effort and discipline that prepare them for it. A minister's calling includes personal service, not preaching alone, requiring him to follow up with hearers and labor for them even when the work is self-sacrificing.
For those who lead, his example is to serve rather than seek power over others or exercise kingly control. Those who rule in his kingdom must be under God's authority, able to govern themselves and obedient to God's commandments, for his kingdom is governed by justice, mercy and love. Those entrusted with authority should recognize their weakness and depend on God, reject selfishness and greed, and walk humbly with God, for true higher education leads away from self-exaltation and domineering rule.
Though Prince of heaven he laid aside his royal robe and kingly crown and became a member of a lowly earthly family as a living example of meekness and humility, opening the way for even the most lowly to approach him as friend. Therefore a position of influence gives no power to rule over brethren, no justification for acting as if one's work is of greatest importance and one's word must be obeyed, and no right to take God's place by bringing members under servile control. Such servile control appears when ministers, teachers, physicians, or others in responsibility grasp so much authority that members must consult them in minor movements, and his example stands against arbitrary rule, against attempting to take God's place, and against making human beings subject to another's control or oppression.
Serving contrasts with being served and with exercising ruling power over others. Domination and human authority that dictates another believer's individual duty or spiritual experience are to be rejected, as seen in the charge that the one claiming to be a servant acted as a tyrant while seeking to rule as lord over others. No kingly power is to control the church as a whole or any branch of its work, and the burden of leadership is not to rest on a few men but to be distributed among many competent men, with every conference, institution, church and individual having a voice in electing those who bear chief responsibilities.
Men called to important positions are not called to rule or take too much authority to themselves, but to live in humble dependence on God, plan and counsel with fellow workers, and keep themselves accountable to God's requirements. Service, not control, is the model for responsibility in God's work. His followers are not to dictate to or dominate fellow workers, but to walk humbly with God, rejecting selfishness, greed, arrogance, impatience and overbearing conduct.
Those entrusted with authority must not use it to dominate or oppress fellow workers, and their position makes it especially important to model true Christianity and exert a refining influence for good. His example and claims rebuke every form of selfishness and oppression and call for mercy, patience, forbearance and unselfish service. A person in command who lacks self-control and acts oppressively places himself below a servant, while a leader and steward represents his Master and should show patience, kindness, long-suffering love, honesty and self-denial, remembering he is a servant.
His followers are not to control or command other people as if they belonged to them, for those who accept the truth are his, not any human leader's. Ministers must not demand a church that obeys their own wishes or wisdom, but work in his meekness and lowliness. When his Spirit shapes the heart they do not seek supremacy or act as reigning lords, and Christian principles produce harmony and peace. Although he was Lord and Master he served others on earth, calling his followers to set self aside and do humble work for others.
He came to serve rather than rule for personal advantage. His pattern of service and self-giving is to be imitated through broad sympathy rather than jealousy or an exclusive spirit, as shown when pastors in the valleys cared for and guided their people. As Creator and Redeemer who gave his life to purchase humanity he claims people's service, ruling out striving for superiority and calling Christians to work under his direction for others' good.
Believers Call to Serve
The verse sets the work all Christians must do while on earth. It requires an abiding sense of being in the Lord's service wherever they go and whatever they do, ministering to the weak, the helpless, and the ignorant. It forbids selfish motives, self-exaltation, seeking the highest place without regard for others, and expecting to be specially favored, and those attitudes miss its meaning. Living it means having the principles of God's law imprinted on the heart and carried into every phase of life, so that they minister to others for Christ's sake and help fellow men in every possible way, because God created people to live in a world where unselfish service must be performed.
Love gives instead of seeking to be served, and serving rather than being served is the great lesson followers are to learn and to teach. He came to serve rather than to receive service or to seek service for himself, and this is the true service God gives the human family to render. His life is the pattern for living for others, and following His example in word and deed leads people in the way of righteousness. His life on earth was true, unselfish ministry, demonstrating that self-serving does not bring happiness and rightly representing the Father's character.
God gives each person work according to the ability entrusted, to be used to meet others' needs and communicate light. As they faithfully use what they have and rely fully on God, their ability increases and God strengthens them when needed, teaching and guiding them and making them channels of light to others. He did not seek His own pleasure or ease but took the form of a servant and spent His life doing good and saving others from suffering, and His selfless service calls His followers to use their abilities to help where help is needed and willingly bear burdens and responsibilities in God's work. His sacrifice calls for persistent efforts to save those ready to perish, trying another way when one means fails.
His ministry of service rather than seeking to be served makes Him an example to follow in diligent, useful work and service to others. His coming also meant taking humanity's sins and bearing its guilt so that people might receive His righteousness by faith and stand innocent before God, for His life was given for the world. Earnest service is nothing to be ashamed of, even for those who have plenty of money to handle, and His work at the carpenter's trade to help support His family puts God's seal on work as a blessing, honorable, praiseworthy, approved and blessed of God, with useful employment of all the physical powers essential for health, and God gives every person his own work to do so no one is idle. His followers should imitate Him in their work, speech, and conduct, trusting Him to help and guide them as they serve, and following His example leads to an everlasting reward. Those whom God is leading out and fitting for translation must imitate Him by becoming servants of all, standing as sentinels for God and uniting their forces instead of working selfishly and independently, sowing kindness, love, tenderness and tender thoughtfulness toward others and carefully preserving the respect and dignity of others, knowing they will reap for eternal life whatever they sow, whether distrust, envy, jealousy, self-love and bitterness or kindness and love.
His humility in coming to serve others rather than be served calls His followers to seek others' happiness and do them good, and imitating Him in this service brings happiness. Those joined to Him are to minister to others by seeking their happiness, easing their sorrows, and relieving their distress, and doing this is a duty God requires and necessary to loyalty to Him. His life of service is a revelation of God's love, and His followers are to continue that work by helping and strengthening one another. Life is a sacred trust from God to be spent ministering to others, and the call to service is a call to die to self and seek the good of others, for unselfish service brings true happiness.
His gift of Himself as a ransom calls for wholehearted consecration, with no person, time, property, talent, or service held back from Him, and even deepest homage and best service are too small a return for the Redeemer. He willingly gave His life to ransom people from sin and degradation and to redeem them, and those He has redeemed are urged to serve Him. His self-giving example calls His followers to reject selfishness and worldliness, live for others, give cheerfully, and use entrusted resources to help save others, and offerings pledged under the influence of His love and mercy should not be withdrawn when that influence is less strongly felt. Being imbued with His Spirit means valuing people as He valued them and working as He worked without failing or becoming discouraged, seeing open doors through which mercy and grace continually flow, gazing on the cross and measuring the worth of souls by the cost of redemption, and sharing His intense earnestness to save the perishing who do not know God, with His love, pity and tenderness breaking down every barrier, drawing men, women and youth to respond to truth and offer themselves to share His burden, and constraining them to partake with Him in self-denial and sufferings.
His service is the aim and standard for medical studies. Young women should be taught usefulness and service to others instead of expecting others to wait on them. Young people should be trained to be useful and to help and serve others, rather than expect others to wait on them.
His life of submission to God made His service an example of humility and self-denial, and His followers must surrender self to God and serve with humility, even through privation and suffering, if they are to share His glory. His example calls His followers to surrender self, submit to God's will, and accept sacrifice and hardship in serving Him. He laid aside His glory, majesty, and riches, took human nature, and gave Himself to save fallen humanity and the lost. They are to humble themselves, deny self, work with Him to save souls, and share with others the grace they have received. His life is a pattern of humble service and nonretaliation, for when insulted and made to suffer He did not answer abuse or threaten but entrusted Himself to the righteous Judge, and His followers dishonor Him when they defend their own dignity and resent every slight, so they should be willing to suffer wrong rather than retaliate or give vent to anger.
His spirit is one of service rather than self-seeking, and it contrasts with pride, display, and using one's means for personal pleasure, so professed believers dishonor His cause when their conduct lacks His spirit of service and harms their influence. His life of doing good and His self-sacrifice are the example His followers are to follow, and selfishness, self-serving and worldliness are inconsistent with being a Christian. His purpose mattered more to Him than suffering or the joys of heaven, and no worldly attraction could turn Him from it, and His self-giving example calls His followers to do good and be willing to suffer for His sake. His sacrifice calls His followers to pity and help those who are fallen and sinful, not to claim authority over fellow believers and hurt them. His example of ministry contrasts with a desire to be waited upon and calls for being helpful and bearing others' burdens.
Those who follow His example show tender compassion and unselfish interest, helping one another grow in love and good works, for His sacrifice fully revealed His love for the lost race. Because God gave His Son to die for them, those who believe in Him are to seek purity like His, and they may trust Him to save them and recognize that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him bodily. His loving sacrifice is the ground of the divine help by which they can overcome. Love for Him as the Saviour who gave His life to pay the price to free believers must be proved to the world by keeping His commandments.