A Divine Mission

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Matthew 20:28

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

I. THE SON OF MAN. Humility combined with dignity. Man was the offender, man must suffer the penalty. Not a fictitious manhood, but real like our own. This ought to attract us to Him, for He is akin in nature and sympathy.

II. HE CAME. The errand unique as the Person who undertook it. He came voluntarily on an errand of mercy.

III. NOT TO BE MINISTERED UNTO, BUT TO MINISTER. He had not a selfish thought in His soul. Does He want servants? Thousands of angels are His chariot. He served in the workshop, home, amongst His disciples. As the Son of Man in heaven he continues a kind of service to His people.

IV. AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE. We have no lives to give. They are forfeited to Divine justice. His death was voluntary. Christ did not come into the world merely to be an example, or merely to reveal the Godhead. His sacrifice was substitutionary.

V. A RANSOM. Every male person among the Jews belonged to God, and must be redeemed. The price was the ransom. Jesus redeems us from the curse of the law.

VI. FOR MANY. The word "for" has a vicarious meaning. "He gave His life instead of many."

1. Man is not redeemed from the bondage of his sins without a price. -No one goes free by the naked mercy of God.

2. That price must be a life. Not merely a character. The question has been asked, "Who receives the ransom?" Not Satan. Satan has no rights. It was paid to the Great Judge. This is a mystical way of speaking. The sufferings of Christ vindicate the law and render mercy possible.

3. What is the result of this? Man is redeemed. He is no longer a slave. Did Jesus Christ redeem you?

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