“‘For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many'” (Mark 10:45, NLT).
Entitlement is a touchy subject these days. On one side are those who feel entitled to every benefit they can get, either rightfully or by other means. One the other are those who believe we (at least those in the U.S.) are only entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, with no guarantee of the latter.
When Jesus walked the earth, he could have claimed any or all of the entitlements he had as the son of God but he chose to be just like us, needing food, water and sleep. He didn’t call legions of angels to protect him from arrest, torture and crucifixion, even though they were completely at his disposal (Matthew 26:53). Jesus didn’t come to garner any of the things humans covet. He came to give himself away, in little ways as he walked all over the country and in the biggest way of all—laying down his life for ours.
September 12, 2012 at 9:23 am
I enjoy the insights you provide with your “verse a day” comments. The “iron sharpening iron” concept is truly at work here. . .in that I find many thoughts you have, engage new thoughts of my own.
I have always found humans interesting in their expectancy of entitlements. We come into this world naked and “dumb”. . .and yet as we grow so do our feelings that we might be entitled to this or that. Of course the mere concept that we are “owed” anything, is so devoid of humility and eventually even in our concern for others.
Then you bring out our Lord Jesus, who truly was “entitled” to everything in the universe. . .He created it after all, and yet He came to earth and lived as one of us, In the end He humbled Himself in the most caring way one could possibly give himself to another. . .by giving His life.
When we look at that. . .how can any of us believe we are “entitled” to anything?!
Thanks again,
Trish