TOPIC:‌“The Restlessness of the Redeeming Christ”

‌‌   by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap

 

TEXT:‌St. Mark 10:35-45

 

‌‌“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.” (Mark 10:45, NKJV)

 

‌During His life Jesus was known as the Miracle-Worker. He was always performing astonishing miracles everywhere He went. He was always moving, always doing, always helping, always working. Notice the urgency of His service when He stated in John chapter 9 verse 4: “I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming, when no one can work.” Jesus knew that the opportunity to do work was limited. His death was not far off. The words “the night is coming” refer to His death and emphasize the urgency of not waiting to accomplish His work. There was a blind man who needed His immediate attention. His healing had to be done now. Jesus could not wait. He felt the brevity of time. Again Jesus proclaimed: “I must be about My Father's business” (Luke 2:49).

 

‌As we come to our text we must understand that Mark is the Gospel of action when it comes to the life of Christ. It is a book of His deeds more than His words. That is why it is the shortest of the four Gospels. Less words more deeds. The words “straightway” and “immediately” occur over forty times while we read words such as these in the book: “He called.” “He left.” “He came.” “He healed.” “He arose.” "He served." "He gave." "He went out.” Action! Action! Action!

 

‌Jesus wanted to be helpful so He got involved with the needs and problems of people. So it was always the next town, the next place, and the next opportunity. He had a divine restlessness to finish His mission. It was a holy imperative. Always going and always doing, was the thing that characterized His life. In the moments before us today I want us to take a closer look at the words found in our text as we think together on the restless spirit of Jesus.

 

I.

 

‌First of all, think of what I am going to call the restlessness of SERVICE. Recall the amazing words of verse 45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served.” Then why did He come? The answer is given: “to serve.” Or as The Living Bible has it: “to help others.” The greatest Man this world has ever known came to serve. That goes right against the thinking of modern man which is what can you do for me. It is the “me first” philosophy of life.

 

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