Christ as Servant: A Study in MarkSample

What does it say?

Jesus taught about divorce and lovingly welcomed some children. He conversed with a rich man about eternal life and explained servant leadership to His disciples.

What does it mean?

When the people in this passage came to Jesus with questions, He challenged their thinking. To the Pharisees, who tested Him regarding marriage, Jesus clearly explained that God intended marriage to be a lifelong covenant relationship. In answering the rich man’s question, Jesus pointed out that getting to Heaven was not about doing good deeds but surrendering his heart to God. He explained to the ambitious disciples that to be truly great, one must be a servant. In contrast to the religious and the influential, children came to Jesus with open hearts full of genuine trust, and blind Bartimaeus came in humility, asking only for His mercy.

How should I respond?

God wants us to bring our questions and requests to Him, knowing that all we ask will be fulfilled if it is according to His will and honors Him. Be prepared, though, for the Lord to challenge your thinking. Too often, we approach God with greedy intentions or an unteachable spirit when He wants to delve below the surface and change our hearts. If you go to God instead with a surrendered heart, in awe of His grace and mercy, you can trust that He will provide all that you need and cause your faith to increase.