The Radical Rabbi Who Bucked Conventional Wisdom

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45 (NRSV)

The copper coins in Jesus’ day showed the head of the reigning emperor with this inscription: “He who deserves adoration.” Not many years after Christ’s death and resurrection, Roman Emperor Galba said after his coronation, “Now that I am emperor I can do what I like and do it to anyone.” This mindset has continued through the ages with modern day kings and emperors who do similar displays of power and grabs for glory. The rulers of history determine their greatness by how many they can impose their will upon. But the King of kings and the Lord of lords says to us, “this is not so among you.” The king of glory is different from all earthly kings. The Kingdom of Heaven is a very different kingdom than any earthly kingdom. Jesus modeled for us that Christian leadership does not involve pushing others down to pull yourself up. Our Lord doesn’t lord his power over others. He came not to be served, but to serve. He came to give his life so that we might be set free from sin and set free to serve. Empowered by the Spirit of Christ, we follow in his footsteps. We pattern our lives and our leading after not Strong Men, but after the Suffering Servant.

August 16, 2020 Service Bulletin and Bible Study

All Sermons by Dr. John C. Tittle are available in our Library of Sermons.

Sermon Art: “The Yellow Christ” (1889) by Paul Gauguin

Other Sermons In This Series

The Radical Rabbi Who Hung Out with the Wrong Crowd

July 05, 2020

The Radical Rabbi Who Was Always Disappearing

August 30, 2020

The Radical Rabbi Who Slept on the Job

August 02, 2020