“The Servant’s Authority”
Mark 2:1-28
”But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” – He said to the paralytic. “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose… – Mark 2:10-12
We have quickly seen in our study of Mark that Jesus came to serve. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” [Mk 10:45]
This Servant, however, had ultimate authority. We tend to think of a servant as one who lacks authority. Not the case with Jesus. And while Jesus was under the authority of God the Father as fully Man, we must remember that He never ceased to be fully God and thus never ceased having the authority of God.
Jesus served the multitudes; He washed feet. But He did so with the authority of God to even raise the dead. And that is the amazing [and unique] blend in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Our Lord ministered from morning till evening until His body grew weary [as Son of Man]; and yet He forgave sin [as Son of God]. He is in the fullest sense, the Servant-King.
And as such, He is the perfect definition of humility. Many have said that humility is “power under control.” And that is a good definition, but it doesn’t do justice to Jesus. Jesus takes humility to an entirely different realm.
You see, only God can forgive sin; and that’s what Jesus did. And yet, only the lowest servant washes feet; and that, too, is what Jesus did. It is quite a radical expanse! No other spans that gamut of Being. Jesus in Perfect humility; is the Perfect Servant-King.
And the greatest reality, through grace, is that when we call this Servant-King Lord, He calls us “friend” [John 15:15].
Now how awesome is that?! It’s almost too good to be true; but it is! Quite a humbling thought to ponder.
