SAVIOR OF LOVE! FOLLOW HIM!

Mat 20:20-28 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.  21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.  22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.  23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.  24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.  25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.  26  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;  27  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:  28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Looking at verse 28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many, we observe the following:

The first part of this verse by Jesus puts the check on the opinions of many. Jesus did not come to be served! He did not come to live a life of ease and to have servants waiting to do His bidding. He did not come to keep His feet away from the mud, grime and toils of this world. He did not come for any of these but He came to serve. He humbled himself for though He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor so that we through Him might be rich. Though He was the Everlasting Father, King of kings and Lord of lords, He laid aside the regal cloak of divinity and glory. Though in the form of God He stepped down and humbled Himself. He was made in the likeness of man and a little lower than the angels, even though it was not robbery for Him to be equal with God. He humbled Himself to be born of a simple Jewish village girl. He humbled Himself to be born in a lowly manger. He humbled Himself and became a man! The greatest act of humility and abasement! The One Who made all things and by Whom all things consist in Whom dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Such a step down from Creator to become like the creature was a step down born out of Love - A SUBMISSION of LOVE!

The second part of the statement shows the real duty of Christ as a man; the Son of God as the Son of man! In His capacity as a man with the power of the Holy Ghost, He was approved of God and went about doing good, healing all that were oppressed of the devil. His work was a work of love. He lived on earth among men, moving among them, suffering like them, tempted like them. He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He is moved with compassion and love. Such love is evidenced in outstretched arms and gentle voice saying Come unto ME all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest! Such love is shown when He looks upon a hungry crowd and says to His disciples "I have compassion on the multitude" then proceeds to provide a miracle by multiplying five loaves and two fishes to feed them all. Such love is evidenced in the healing of the blind men. Such love is evidenced in the raising of the dead son of the Nain widow. Such love is evidenced in His weeping because of the sorrow of Mary and Martha over dead Lazarus. He loved the children, all of them, and blessed them. When the 'religious right' condemned a sinful woman, He put them to an open shame then forgave her. When others admired the rich and their wealthy giving His eyes were on the poor widow's mite as he commended her act of generosity. He defended the rights of the poor who were being black-marketed by the temple sellers. Everywhere He went there were sick, diseased and demon possessed to be delivered. His ministry among men was one done out of love. Love vibrated and resonated in His every atom and fiber. His was indeed - A SERVICE of LOVE!

Everything was programmed and ordered to lead to the final and ultimate act - His death! For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus was not spared but sacrificed on our behalf. Greater love has no man than this that a man should lay down His life for His friends. But God commended His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us - A SACRIFICE OF LOVE!

As His followers what does this statement of Jesus imply to us? In his letter to the saints Peter gives us a clear directive saying Christ has left us an example that we should follow in His steps!

1Pe 2:11-25  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  13  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;  14  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.  15  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:  16  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.  18  Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.  19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.  21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  22  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  23  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.  25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Therefore:

1. WE FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS WHEN WE SUBMIT BECAUSE OF LOVE

Submission is easy when it is out of love and not forced. No one could force Yashua to do as He did but He did it anyway because He loved us and willingly laid down His life for us. 1Jn 3:16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Rom 5:7-8 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

There is no fear where there is love:

1Jn 4:18-19 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  19 We love him, because he first loved us.

As Paul exhorts, saints should be: Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

REMEMBER: Satan’s downfall resulted from his failure to submit to the will and rule of God. He wanted to do his own thing and felt that he was better than others even God! He moved from God’s will to his will: Isa 14:13-14 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  14  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.  He will constantly seek to entice you away from God’s will to serve your own self interest and he is really good at doing this so be warned! 1Pe 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

There is a solution to Satan’s wiles, guile and style! There is need to: Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

2. WE FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS WHEN WE SERVE BECAUSE OF LOVE

Service is not a burden when we love. (He ain't heavy! He's my brother!) We are not impressed with the expectations of the world. Rather we anticipate an exceedingly greater and better kingdom of which we are citizens

Php 3:20-21  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:  21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

We will therefore not allow the world's pettiness, greed and bias disrupt our allegiance to our King but will serve with love. When we feel the unwillingness and rebellion of the flesh battling to overcome us we will take care to step on it and place it where it belongs...right under our feet! We will

Rom 12:17-21  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.  18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.  19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.  20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.  21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

We will by love serve one another.

Gal 5:13-16  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  14  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  15  But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.  16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

3. WE FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS WHEN WE SACRIFICE BECAUSE OF LOVE

Not all of us may be privileged to suffer a martyr’s death for our Lord but whenever we have opportunity we can give up possessions dear to us for His sake. We can give up creature comforts in order for others to experience the love that Christ has given to us. Opportunities present itself to us sometimes in the most unexpected and unlikely ways. We need to look upon our fellowmen with the eyes of our Lord and see what he sees:

Mat 9:36-38 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  37  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;  38  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Mat 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Mat 15:32  Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

His question to you is: Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

1Pe 3:8-9  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:  9  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

We should follow in His steps for He led by example and commands us to follow Him!

Christ’s action in John 13 remains an object lesson for all believers everywhere for all time:

John 13:3-17  Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;  4  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  5  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.  6  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?  7  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.  8  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.  9  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.  10  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.  11  For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.  12  So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?  13  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.  14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.  16  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  17  IF YE KNOW THESE THINGS, HAPPY ARE YE IF YE DO THEM.