Bruce on Humility and Service

The Gospels bear witness to the fact that Jesus’ own life was the practical manifestation of his teaching.  This testimony is specially explicit with regard to service and sacrifice.  Repeatedly he insisted that the highest honour lies in humble service – not as reward for it, but in the service itself.  In the kingdoms of the world the high and mighty received service; this was a sign of the honour in which they were held.  Jesus’ disciples found it difficult to grasp the thought that it is quite otherwise in the kingdom of God.  ‘It shall not be so among you’, he said to them, ‘but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.  For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:43-45).

–F.F. Bruce, Jesus: Lord & Savior (pp 75-76).

~ by toddbumgarner on March 7, 2008 6:13 am.