Daily Readings - Sun Oct 17 2021
Isaiah
10Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.11Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
Hebrews
14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Mark
42And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.43But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,44and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.45For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of service, sacrifice, and the humility of Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear about the suffering servant who bears the sins of many and through his labors, justifies and satisfies the will of God. This passage is a profound prophecy of Christ, who would take on the weight of humanity’s sins and offer himself as a ransom for many. The context of this passage is rooted in the expectation of a Messiah who would restore Israel, but it also points to the universal salvation that Christ would bring. Isaiah emphasizes that true greatness is found in self-giving love and humility.
The second reading from Hebrews builds on this theme by presenting Jesus as our great High Priest, who understands our weaknesses and temptations because he experienced them himself, though without sin. The author encourages us to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, knowing that Jesus intercedes for us. This reading reminds us that Jesus’ priesthood is not one of distant authority but of compassionate solidarity. He is a leader who understands our struggles and offers us mercy and grace in our time of need.
In the Gospel, Mark contrasts the worldly understanding of leadership, where power is exercised over others, with the Christian ideal of servant-leadership. Jesus teaches that true greatness in his kingdom is found in serving others. He himself is the ultimate example of this, for he came not to be served but to serve, even to the point of giving his life as a ransom for many. This teaching challenges us to reevaluate our own attitudes toward power and authority. Are we seeking to dominate, or are we willing to humble ourselves and serve others?
These readings call us to embrace a life of humility and service. In a world that often values power and status, Jesus shows us a different way. He invites us to follow him in pouring out our lives for the sake of others. Let us ask ourselves: How can I serve those around me today? How can I imitate Christ’s humility and self-giving love? May we approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that Jesus understands our struggles and intercedes for us. And may we strive to live as servants, following the example of the one who gave his life for us all.