(6th November 2011) Jesus Christ who came here as a servant for us

 

 

Scripture Reading: Mark 10:45

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.

 

Sermon: Jesus Christ who came here as a servant for us

Please close your eyes and share a meaning of this poem written by Wilbur Rees.

 

Three Dollars Worth of God

“I would like to buy three dollars worth of God, please.

I would like to buy just a little of the Lord. Not enough to explode my soul and disturb my sleep. Not enough to take control of my life. I want just enough to equal a cup of warm milk. Just enough to ease some of the pain from my guilt.

I would like to buy three dollars worth of God, please. I would like to find a love that is pocket-sized. I don’t want enough of God to make me love a black man

or pick beets with a migrant. Not enough to change my heart. I can only stand just enough to take to church when I have time. Just enough to equal a snooze in the sunshine. I want ecstasy, not transformation. I want the warmth of the womb, but not a new birth.

I would like to purchase a pound of the eternal in a paper sack. If it doesn’t work, I would like to get my money back.

I would like to buy three dollars worth of God, please. I would like to hide some for a rainy day. Not enough for people to see a change in me. Not enough to impose any responsibility. Just enough to make folks think I am ok.

Could I just get three dollars worth of God, please?” (Wilbur Rees)

 

Most of us want the Lord. But not too much! We know He protects us, guides us, helps us and bless us. But not too much!

We believe in God but we want to just believe in him not serve. Why we want them? The reason is simple. we are very comfortable to live in this world without any growth and hope. To be honest, we are very difficult to live here. The world where we live is battlefield, rough wind and wave, and finally we can call it as "the valley of the shadow of death"(Psalm 23:4). So we are exhausted to live here with a hope. To us the way of following the Lord make us feel too much burdened. "We need His help! Just as it is!"

However, what do we believe in the Lord? today the following text of Bible implies a different meaning from our thoughts.

Let's us read together, Mark 10:45

"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."

Now he says about "called to serve".

In the period, Jews anticipated that Messiah came to them as a strong military king and saved them from Rome. About this anticipation, they are frantically intoxicated in Messiah syndrome.

However, prophets in the old testament said about Messiah differing from Jews' anticipation. Looking at the word of Isaiah 53:5

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

 

Messiah would come as a servant. He will feed the poor, heal the sick, and help the suffering. Nevertheless, it is incomprehensible to religious leaders and the people of the period. Particularly, Jesus could make the dead alive, the sick be cured, and possess a power of the word. Moreover, He have a attractive leadership which make people gather to him. He humbled himself and stayed with the poor, the sick, and the low. They never understand such Jesus.

Not only to the religious leaders and people of the period, but also disciples of Jesus do as it was. one day, John and James came to Jesus and ask him to make them one sit at his right and the other at his left in his glory. In the past, what someone sits at right or left of King is to have authority and honour. It seems to us that James and John followed Jesus Christ throwing their all, because of political ambition.

However, He came here in order to serve people with a great sacrifice which He paid with his life for us. Furthermore, He lived again and sitting in the right of God, has kept his eyes on us not to be tempted by Satan.

What is the meaning of "servant of Jesus Christ"?

When we see the chapter 13 of John, Jesus show what is the serving by saying and doing. In the past, there were mostly unpaved roads. So after coming back to home, most people need to clean their feet. To the rich, most servants cleaned feets of their Lord or guest of the house. However, shown by vers. 1~17 of chapter 13, there was no one to clean feet of disciples. So they were just waiting to someone who serve them. At the time, Jesus brought towel and basin to wash. Then he began to clean their feet one by one. He cleaned all. This means not only those who he loved but also Judas who betrayed Jesus after few hours. While he wash their feet, Peter suddenly refused Jesus to wash his feet. But he said like this, (John 13:14~17)

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

 

Here, we can find out one interesting point. He did not say "after I wash your feet, you wash my feet" What did he say?

"you also should wash one another's feet"

It means "serve each other" and "this is to make you happy, make your family happy, make your society happy, and make this world happy."

Yes it is! To serve others makes the world change. True service makes miracle by the power of God.

I want to introduce the miracle in America. There is the Los Angeles Dream Centre found by Barnett family.

The family started working for the homeless, the alcoholic, the drug addict, and gangs in towns. The work is very simple. so many Christian volunteers were walking in the streets and then met people, whoever they were the homeless, or gangs, tried to have a conversation, hug them and send the message of God's love. It looks very easy. But think about it. they met very dangerous people in the society. In Manila, there would be some areas like Hallem. Can you do like the volunteers there? No~~ Even from the old lady to the young. many volunteers participated in this work. Also, the centre prepared the venue to stay apart from the street lives and the programmed to recover from the dark like bible studies and psychological group consultation. For this work, within 5 years, the rate of crime in LA declines 40%. Moreover, those who was the homeless or the drug addict in the past but now went back to the ordinary life by this help, came back to this street and work here as volunteers. So now 40,000 people were helped by this work per a month. To the poor, and to volunteers, this work is very meaningful of following the service of Jesus Christ.

Now I am praying for that my brothers and sisters of this church are willing to follow this service of Jesus Christ like them in LA. Everytime repenting our sins, believing to be with Jesus and filling holy spirit with us, we can serve the others like Jesus.

Now, we want to pray gather few min. With the power of Jesus' sacrifice, we can enjoy the happiness of the live which serve the others. Let's pray.

 

Dear heavenly Father, we believe in your power on us. So we can know your words be done to us. in Jesus Christ we pray Amen.