A Cosmic As Well As Historic Truth

In Mark 10:35 Jesus said, “45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

After their small-minded request, Jesus reminded James and John what their mindsets and attitudes should be like as they followed Him. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus taught his disciples that the key to good service was self denial. He said, “"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Apostle Paul identified the number one sign of terrible times in the last days is people being lovers of themselves (2 Timothy 3:1-2).

Jesus would model to perfection a life of sacrifice and service, and consummate His mission on earth by dying on a cross for the sins of humanity. Reinhold Niebuhr said, “The cross symbolizes a cosmic as well as historic truth. Love conquers the world, but its victory is not an easy one.”

We are to not only deny ourselves, but take up the cross as well as we follow Jesus. As we carry the cross it reminds us of the responsibility we now have to serve others and lead them to Christ. It is on the cross that Jesus said He would draw all men to Himself (John 12:32).

Remember, sacrifice and service always attracts people. As we embrace suffering by stepping out of our world of comfort, we develop the character of Christ and His capacity to care for others.

In Galatians 6:14, Apostle Paul wrote about the cross and divulged the revelation he had received from Christ about his responsibility to serve the world by preaching the mystery of the gospel. He said, “14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

The cross is “I” crossed out. Author unknown

Apostle Paul became great because: The greatest are the ones who live to impact the lives of others.