Read Mark 10

Jesus was not whom most people expected. Mark’s Gospel paints a portrait of Jesus that looks more like a servant than the redeemer God’s people had anticipated for hundreds of years.

But we know that God’s ways are often not our ways. The Gospels record that, according to God’s plan, the second Person of the Trinity became a man, Jesus, and lived among people. They were able to observe His actions and hear His teaching. While many regarded Jesus as the long-anticipated Savior of Israel, they also hoped He would be the one who would drive the Romans from their land and restore their kingdom. This would be a glorious future, and they hoped their lives would change for the better as their leader ascended to power. But Jesus had a different mission, one that embodied service and, finally, the ultimate sacrifice.

In the Gospels, Jesus taught these values to His disciples and followers. When it became clear that two of His disciples, James and John, were thinking of themselves and not of Jesus’ mission, He corrected them. While they may have been used to powerful leaders who held their authority over others, they were to live differently (v. 42). Jesus was modeling a different way, using His power to serve others. Greatness in God’s kingdom would be achieved by serving those in need (v. 43).

By invoking the title Son of Man for Himself, Jesus drew a connection to the book of Daniel where the second Person of the Trinity appeared as a man and received power, authority, and a kingdom (Dan. 7:13–14). Jesus was saying that even the God-Man did not come to use power for Himself, but for those He came to serve. His ultimate service would be to give His life, so that many would be saved from their sins.

Go Deeper

Go Deeper How did Jesus flip the script regarding power and service? Can you think of a few specific examples in the Bible of how He challenged those values? Extended Reading:

Mark 10–12

Pray with Us

We are amazed at the beautiful picture of Christ as a servant in Mark’s Gospel. We pray, Father, that You will raise a new generation of true servant-leaders in our churches and communities who will imitate Jesus.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.Mark 10:45

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Read Matthew 1

Watching buildings under construction is an exercise in waiting. At times it seems like nothing is happening. Construction vehicles come and go but no structure rises above the ground. Finally, the building pokes out. Then things slow down again as work progresses out of sight. Suddenly, one day, people are living there!

Today, we begin our journey through the New Testament. After 400 years without direct revelation, God’s plan to redeem our broken world seemed not to be going anywhere. The Jewish people had returned from exile and found themselves in their homeland, but without a king and without significant blessing. They struggled with faith. The idolatry was gone, replaced by religiosity that needed a heart change. Then suddenly, God’s plan entered its next phase.

We begin the Gospel of Matthew, where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and informed her that she would participate with God in a miraculous way. She had been chosen to give birth to a child who would “save his people from their sins” (v. 21). This is the first of many moments in the New Testament that directly answer events of the Old Testament. In Genesis, Adam and Eve sinned, plunging the world into darkness, but Jesus (His name means Yahweh Saves) will undo the consequences of that early disobedience. Sin was humanity’s greatest challenge! Prior to this moment Israel relied on sacrifices that couldn’t completely atone for their sins. Now God would offer a sacrifice that would put sin away forever.

To remind his readers that this was always the plan of God, Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah who predicted that the miraculous birth of a Son would signal God’s presence with Israel to deliver them. Like the grand opening of a building, the next step was finally here!

Go Deeper

How surprising was Jesus’ arrival to those alive at that time? Why is it significant that Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah? Extended Reading:

Matthew 1–3

Pray with Us

Lord Jesus, we rejoice that You came to earth to live with us, to walk with us, and to save us. Thank You, Almighty God, that You speak to Your people through Your Son.

You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.Matthew 1:21

https://www.moodybible.org/