THE ULTIMATE SERVANT

Who could buy God off?
And at what expense?

“Hear this, all ye people; give ear all ye inhabitants of the world: Both low and high rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. I will incline my ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon a harp.” Ps. 49:1-4.

The Psalmist offers no exemption. For no estate is too low or too high to be inattentive to these words. No one, rich or poor is to be excluded. He has something very important to say, with an essential connection. Having inclined His ear, and meditated in his heart of understanding, his mouth is now ready to speak wisdom. The heart of what he has to say is found in verses 6-9.

“They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him, For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever: That he should live for ever and not see corruption.” OUR LOVING Father graciously teaches about trusting in any other wealth than that which He offers to our faith. Men are prone to glory in riches of intelligence, talent and strength. Material, temporal, or moral character will fail to fill the bill of God’s holy requirements. READ Jer. 9:23,24; 17:5-8; I Tim. 6:16-18. To reject or neglect the only ransom God has given for your soul, is choosing to incur the wrath of his stroke from which no other ransom is able to deliever, no matter how great or other-wise highly esteemed. Job 36:18,19. God can only be gracious unto us and deliver us, because in Jesus Christ He has found the only possible ransom for us. Job 33:23,24.

OH, LORD, help us realize more fully, the astounding, priceless, immeasurable value of our redeemption. The ransom is...the price paid for our redemption to loose captives from any bounds to set at total liberty. It cost our Redeemer total surrender, giving all the substance of His house for love. May He make us to grasp the grace that was extended unto us, that, though He was rich, for our sakes became poor, that we, through His poverty, might become rich. No one else was rich enough to become this poor. “The redemption of the soul is precious.” With all that all humanity has to offer, or could ever accumulate, what value would be great enough? No other human being is good, holy, or sinless enough. Only the life blood of God’s spotless Lamb could pay the price once for all, “It ceaseth forever.” Who else could pay the price so effectually that we could live forever and never see corruption. “NONE, BY ANY MEANS” Who then could begin to estimate the immensity of our Savior’s service?

OH WHAT SERVICE! OH WHAT A SERVANT!

“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2:6-8.

Nothing has ever been done in this universe, or will ever be done to compare to the unfathomable service of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ. It is incomparable in the benefits and blessings to be enjoyed by God and man forever. Verses 9-11 indicate somewhat what the payback or appropriate reward will be. No one has come from such height nor reached to such depth. Who else could leave behind equal wealth, or come to equal poverty with the most depraved, and yet be able to bestow unsearchable riches? I am glad to be among those that believe that Jesus will be rewarded with the highest place above all His redeemed, and that for all eternity. Our adversary would like to focus hearts on a lofty position, more than on our Beloved Lord’s person, and thus rob us of God’s best. Some of us need to be reminded that the bridal company is just that, not an individual but a glorious victorious company, to be made up of overcoming individuals.

THE RANSOM FOR ALL

II Tim. 2:3-6. The one Man between God and men, gave Himself a ransom for all. This Man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. WHEREFORE He is able to save them unto the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing that He ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, made higher than the heavens. Heb. 7:24-26.

Mt. 20:20-28. When Jesus had been asked by his disciples for places of greatness, who could be Chief in His coming kingdom, he answered, “Whosoever will be Chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and give his life a ransom for many.” When Jesus asked them if they were able to drink his cup, they ignorantly answered “We are able.”

Most people that say they are determined to reign with Christ are not ready, willing nor able to pour out their lives for Jesus or even to be burdened with the daily needs of others. Whosoever can qualify to be equal with the Chief, or the greatest, must be able and match His supreme service. Who among you will equal this? Can you ransom any, many, or all? Would you, could you, should you? Only God’s spotless Lamb was asked. Jesus said, “I am among you as he that serves” Lk. 22:27. See Mt. 23:11&12. WHAT SERVANT WENT THE FARTHEST IN TRUE HUMILITY and accomplished the greatest service for God, and most beneficial for man?

Paul desired to know Jesus, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering. I am persuaded that he did more than any other believer in this Church Age. There is scriptural evidence that this was true. Most every believer does in differing measures. I am not sure any one else has come to that same measure, which he did. I doubt Paul’s suffering and service could compare to Christ’s. We are greatly indebted to God for what He did with Paul’s service for our glorious spiritual blessings. Yet, what Jesus has done in service for God and man is quite beyond compare. Such is and will be rewarded accordingly. Will we not glorify Him most highly for ever on our part?

We are only able to serve our Father and our Lord acceptably, in the measure that we accept Jesus’ service for us (on our behalf and for our benefit). It is far beyond where we began after we have received Him as our ransom. Without Him we have done nothing. I Love you and pray for you that are persuaded that you are going to be seated equally with our dear Lord Jesus Christ, where will you put your crown? When will you cease to fall down before Him that has made you a king and priest?