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“Just as the Son of Humankind came not to be served1 but to serve and to sacrifice his soul2 [Isaiah 53:12] as a ransom3 in the place of many.”4
| 1 | Came not to be served: Or, GDSP: not to be waited on. |
| 2 | To sacrifice his soul: Or, KJV: give his life; NEB: to surrender his life. On the subject of “soul” or, PSYCHE see articles elsewhere: Where Are the Dead? |
| 3 | Ransom: Or, WMS: ransom price; WEY: redemption price. Research the word ransom. |
| 4 | In the place of many: Or, RHM: instead of many. See Mark 10:45; Romans 3:24; Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:7, 14; Ephesians 4:30; Colossians 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 9:15. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose Matthew 20:28 as the theme verse of chapter twenty – Serve Others. Now Jesus relates a parable about the kingdom and the vineyard workers and how equal pay is given to all. [1-16] The last workers hired receive the same payment as the first hired.
From here the Nazarene proceeds on to Jerusalem. [17-19] He again foretells his execution, death and resurrection. Later the mother of two apostles asks Jesus that he sons receive honored places in the Kingdom. [20-23] Jesus states that this is not under his authority, however those who wish to be so blessed must be willing to share his experiences in suffering and death. Jesus then explains that the apostles are not to act as authoritarian rulers, but rather they must be like him in a willingness to sacrifice themselves for others. On the way to Jericho Jesus heals two blind men.
Abba our Father bless those who are ‘great’ in service to others.
[11 November 2002]
