The Gospel according to Mark, is the second, and shortest of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and presents Christ in His servant character. Mark also puts much emphasis on miracles that Jesus performed. Jesus said, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45). Verse 45 is the key verse of Mark’s Gospel.
The greatest example of lowly service is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Note what he said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” And He added, “and to give his life a ransom for many.” How very fitting.
In his outline of Mark’s Gospel, Dr. Charles Stanley writes as follows. “We see the essence of Mark’s Gospel in a single verse: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Chapter after chapter, the book unfolds the dual focus of Christ’s life: service and sacrifice.”
“Mark portrays Jesus as a Servant on the move, instantly responsive to the will of His Father. Preaching, teaching, and healing, the Savior is seen ministering to the needs of others—even to the point of death. After the Resurrection, we see Him commissioning His followers to continue His work in His power—disciples following in the steps of the perfect Servant.” (The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible NKJV p. 1179).
Jesus took on the role of a servant when He washed the feet of His disciples. Jesus “rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:4,5). In Jesus’ day feet washing was a task for the lesser and lowliest slave. In that day, people wore sandals which meant their feet would be extremely dirty because of heavy dust and dirty conditions where they had to walk. Yet in spite of those prevailing conditions, Jesus chose to wash His disciples feet.
Also, in context, Peter was reluctant to allow the Lord to wash his feet. “He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” (John 13:6-8). This highlights the humility of the Lord and confirms what He declared of Himself: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” (Mark 10:45). Peter had to learn what the Lord was doing had great spiritual significance.
William MacDonald explains: “Taking the form of a bondservant. The incarnation and life of the Savior may be summarized by those lovely words in John 13:4: “Jesus . . . laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.” The towel or apron is the badge of service. It was used by slaves. And it was used by the blessed Lord Jesus because He came “not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt.20:28). (Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1966).
There are tremendous lessons that the Christian can learn and also practice from what the Lord demonstrated to His disciples. Lessons in humility and the role of being a servant. Consider for a moment the Lord Jesus left the excellent glory to come down to earth, tabernacling among mankind as a lowly Servant and to minister to those He created.
Interestingly, Paul corroborates Mark’s account of Jesus as the One who came not to be served but to serve. Paul writes that Christ “emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7). Born in the likeness of men certainly brings out the humanity of the Lord Jesus. Though He was “very God of very God; ” yet He was also “very Man of very man.” This is a great and wonderful mystery.
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
”The Lord Jesus left His magnificent throne in heaven—where He is surrounded with praise and worship—and chose the limitation, suffering, and lowliness of a human body just so He could save us and show His great love.” (Dr Charles Stanley).
We give God Almighty all the glory and praise for providing salvation for us through the Lord Jesus, who “being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8). Note the text: “being found in human form, he humbled himself.” It was when Christ was a man that He humbled Himself. Though He was God, yet He humbled Himself in preparation to go to the Cross, and there paid the penalty for our sins.
And believing, we are made free.