Mark 10:45

 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,

and to give his life as a ransom for many.

When I was young, things that were handmade were common in my family. My mom was always making things, whether it was at the sewing machine, in the kitchen, or with yarn and a hook or needles. I cannot recall ever having a store-bought Christmas stocking. She worked hard to make good things for us. My parents also taught us to work. We were not spoiled, but we were never destitute. Doing housework and odd jobs in the neighborhood for spending money taught me to appreciate the nice things.

Being accustomed to doing things on my own, I sometimes find it hard to wrap my mind around the idea of being served. When I read that Jesus did not come to be served but to serve, I don’t always know what to do with that at first. It is staggering to me to consider that He served us by dying in our place. That is truly astounding.

Of course I realize this is because of His deep love. I have heard this repeated all my life. But the story never gets old, it just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter. And the reminders in Scripture are good to have. It is humbling to know that He served our greatest need, that He gave us life by giving Himself for us. I find myself in wonder at that.

Even more astounding is that He enlists us in the same thing. Jesus was the light of the world, but He also called us the ‘light of the world’ and told us to let that light shine. We get to share it with others by serving them as He served us.

— Brad Bolton