The crux of the message

It is now a month since the coronation of King Charles III but before we file the event in our memory banks marked ‘special occasions 2023’, I’d like to flag one repeated theme in the coronation service. I have in mind the laudable notion of the one in high office serving others rather than being served by them. Jesus was referred to as ‘the one who came, not to be served, but to serve…’

King Charles promised, with God’s help, to rule in a similar fashion. Who can doubt that this is a good and noble thing, something which would benefit us all if politicians and, indeed, all who hold authority aspired to do the same.

When Jesus spoke words about himself not coming to be served but to serve, that was in fact only the beginning of the phrase he used. This is what he actually said, ‘even the Son of Man [Jesus] did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’

If, as in the coronation service, we simply dwell on the first part of the sentence, then Jesus is just giving us an example of how to live our lives. If we only see Jesus as an ethical teacher who was prepared to live out what he taught, then we will miss the ‘good news (or gospel)’, which he came to bring about. The second half of the sentence says, ‘and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ Jesus primarily served by giving his life over to a violent death through crucifixion.

The idea of Jesus himself being a ransom price, giving his own life in order that God’s righteous judgement might be diverted from me to him, is not a popular notion these days. Nonetheless, this is the crux of the good news Jesus brought to us.

Perhaps you grew up knowing this but modern sensitivities have muddied the waters for you. The popular hymn, ‘How great thou art’ is a good reminder of the Christian message:

‘And when I think that God His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die—I scarce can take it in.

That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin’.

That’s how King Jesus served…