~
Jesus Christ Came To Be A Ransom For Many ~
Passage ~ “And
when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You
know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great
exercise authority over them. Yet it shall
not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be
your servant. And whoever desires to be
first among you, let him be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His
life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:24-28).
Significance ~ In
man’s hierarchy the one who leads is the chief.
In the divine order he who serves best is the honored one.
Comment ~ This
is closely related to the New Testament teaching about the Church of Jesus
Christ being like a human body. Each member
of the body has God given function(s) that are vital to the health of the whole
body.
“For as we have many members in one body, but all the
members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in
Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to
the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us
prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our
ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he
who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy,
with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:4-8).
“But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have
no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ No, much rather, those members of the body
which seem to be weaker are necessary. And
those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we
bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our
presentable parts have no need. But God
composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that
there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the
same care for one another. And if one
member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored,
all the members rejoice with it. Now you
are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church:
first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then
gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way
[chapter 13—the love chapter]” (1 Corinthians 12:20-31).
the key question:
“Who do you say that I am?”
(Matthew 16:15). This is the most important
question you will ever answer. If you do
not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake
anyone can make!
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