Slave of All

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; 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 10:42–45 (RSV)

The new Pharisees of woke cancel culture would be hysterical at Jesus' use of the word 'slave.' They would demand a re-write of Scripture and an apology from Jesus for so insensitive a comment. They would demand the Father find a new, more inclusive, and tolerant Messiah if they could.

They would demand it, but it would be the great lie of this age. Rather than speak the truth of God's purpose, they would make Jesus so inoffensive that no one would be troubled by Him. He would cease to be the Savior if God were to bend to the sensitivities of the new righteousness.

Like the woke warriors of our day, the disciples were jockeying for places of power in Jesus' Kingdom. James and John asked to have the prime seats next to Jesus' throne. No one wants to be the servant, the slave who seeks the blessing of others before self.

Jesus will humble Himself, accepting death on the cross for the salvation of the world. He could have summoned twelve legions of angels to defend Him at Gethsemane. He chose the way of suffering and death. He chose to be the servant, the slave, who redeemed us all.