Jesus’ statement that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45) provides critical insight into the nature of His mission and ministry during His time on earth. This verse comes amid Jesus’ teaching to His disciples about true greatness in God’s kingdom. After overhearing the disciples arguing over which of them would be the greatest, Jesus makes it clear that those who wish to be great in God’s eyes must be servants of all (Mark 10:42-44). He then offers Himself as the ultimate example of this upside-down kingdom perspective, saying, “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).
There are several important truths we can take away from Jesus’ statement:
1. It reveals Jesus’ true identity
By referring to Himself as the “Son of Man,” Jesus is identifying Himself with the divine figure from Daniel’s vision who would establish God’s eternal kingdom (Daniel 7:13-14). This favorite self-designation of Jesus affirms His identity as the long-awaited Messiah who has finally come to fulfill God’s promises and establish His rule.
2. It highlights Jesus’ mission
Jesus says the reason He came as the Son of Man was not to be served, but to serve. Most people expected the Messiah to come in power and glory as an exalted King, ready to receive service and submission from all nations. But Jesus makes it clear that He came for a different purpose – to meet the needs of others through service and self-sacrifice.
3. It shows that service is central to kingdom greatness
By linking service with His identity as the Messiah, Jesus makes it clear that those who wish to be great in God’s kingdom should follow His example of humble, self-giving service for others. The way to true greatness is down, not up. Position and power are not priorities. Loving and serving others is central.
4. It points to the cross
Jesus says He came to “give his life as a ransom for many.” This serves as a prophecy of His ultimate act of service – laying down His life on the cross to pay the penalty for sin and purchase forgiveness and eternal life for all who believe in Him. Jesus’ supreme act of substitutionary atonement is the climax of both His servanthood and His identity as the God-man Messiah.
5. It displays Jesus’ submission to the Father
By emphasizing that He came “not to be served, but to serve,” Jesus highlights His willingness to surrender His will to the Father and carry out the mission for which He was sent. He would fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy of the Suffering Servant by perfectly obeying God and laying down His rights and privileges for the sake of others (Isaiah 53:11).
The Son did not come expecting royal treatment or demanding others to meet His needs. He came ready to meet the needs of a lost, broken world according to His Father’s redemptive plan. Jesus’ service-centered mission provides a pattern for believers to live selflessly and care for others’ wellbeing and growth in the kingdom.
6. It gives us an example to follow
As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His character of servanthood in our lives and relationships. Though He was fully God, Jesus humbled Himself to meet our needs. As His disciples, we are to do the same – laying down our rights, considering others above ourselves, and meeting the needs of those around us through sacrificial service (Philippians 2:3-7). When we serve one another in love, we display Christ to the watching world.
7. It leads to true fulfillment
Our human tendency is to seek satisfaction in being served by pursuing position, comfort, and power. But Jesus shows that the path to lasting fulfillment is not found in being served, but in serving. When we lay down our lives to build others up, we experience the joy and contentment that comes from living as Christ did. Service is the road to satisfaction.
8. It defeats self-centeredness
Our natural inclination is to think foremost of ourselves – our wants, needs, and comfort. But the call to serve helps defeat our inborn self-centeredness by forcing us to look beyond ourselves and invest in the wellbeing of others. Serving helps transform us into more loving, Christlike people.
In summary, Jesus’ statement that He came to serve rather than be served provides a model for His followers to live similarly selfless lives. As the perfect Servant, Jesus surrendered His rights and gave Himself fully for others through the cross. As we serve those around us, we are transformed more into His image – the image of sacrificial love.
Verses related to Jesus coming to serve:
Matthew 20:28 – “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Luke 22:27 – “For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”
John 13:1-17 – Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, then explains, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”
Philippians 2:5-8 – “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Mark 9:35 – “And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, ‘If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.'”
John 13:12-17 – After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus explains, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
2 Corinthians 8:9 – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”
Isaiah 53:11 – “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.”
Mark 10:42-45 – “And Jesus called them to him and said to them, ‘…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 as a ransom for many.'”
Romans 15:1-3 – “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself.”
Jesus’ example of living as a servant, focused on meeting others’ needs rather than being served Himself, provides a powerful model for Christians today. As we embrace the call to serve, we grow to be more like Christ – our perfect Servant-King.
