Why Did the Son of Man Come to Serve?

Jesus called Himself the Son of Man many times as recorded in the Gospels. The title “Son of Man” is a term that originally appeared in the Old Testament and was a phrase Jesus and the Gospel writers would have been familiar with. This term in the Aramaic language means, “human being,” and it calls attention to the humanness of Jesus. Also, when the Old Testament context is taken into consideration, this phrase also demonstrates that He is the one who is exalted. There is a verse in the book of Daniel that uses this term, which gives understanding to why Jesus often referred to Himself as the Son of Man.

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14).

Jesus used the term “Son of Man” when He spoke of Himself. More than simply being a term that designates His humanity, this passage in Daniel makes it clear that this term boldly relays Jesus’ glory, power, and everlasting dominion.

Did Jesus Come to Serve?

In Matthew 20:28, Jesus clearly stated that He came to serve humanity. He came to this earth in the spirit of love and humility with the mission to pay the debt of humanity’s sin. He was sent so that all would have the chance at eternal life (see John 3:16).

Jesus served by healing, helping when He was called upon, feeding those who were hungry, casting out evil spirits, and meeting people’s needs. Jesus had compassion, He spoke truth, and He listened to people’s stories and fears. Jesus truly served in a variety of ways when He walked this earth. He gave an amazing example to His followers of what living a life of service means, and how important this is to being a Christian.

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There are many instances throughout the four Gospels that tell of how Jesus helped and served others. His love for people He encountered was bold and unconditional. Here are a few of the ways in which Jesus served others.

1. Jesus Met Needs

“Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.’ So, they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine and did not know where it came from” (John 2:7-9).

In John’s Gospel, we find the account of Jesus and His mother at a wedding in Cana. The wine ran out and it was Jesus’ mother who called upon Him to help. Jesus stepped in and met the need through an incredible miracle by turning water into wine. It is an interesting story about Jesus which shows how He served by meeting needs.

2. Jesus Fed Crowds of Hungry People

“Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So, they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied” (Mark 6:39-42).

There are multiple accounts of Jesus feeding large crowds of people. He served by meeting the basic need of hunger. He did not want to send these large crowds away but cared for them and went on to serve them.

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“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14).

This is one of just many times Jesus healed. In His compassion for people needing healing, He served by making them well, whole, and restored. Healing was a big part of Jesus’ ministry, and many heard of Jesus because of the stories of His miraculous healings that circulated. Many sought Jesus out to be healed.

4. Jesus Cast Out Demons

“Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute” (Luke 11:14).

Jesus has authority over the demons and during His ministry on earth, He served others by casting out demons that were wreaking havoc in the lives of people He encountered. People came to Him or were brought to Him to be served in the way of having demons cast out of them.

5. Jesus Resolved Conflict

“Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:40-42).

Jesus served by resolving conflict and tending to people’s emotional needs, as well. He ended disputes the disciples had (see Mark 10:32-45), and as the verse above shows, He resolved the argument between two sisters: Martha and Mary. Jesus served by making peace between people.

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“After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (John 13:5).

As Jesus was nearing His arrest and death on a cross, He took time to wash the feet of His disciples. He served them in this powerful way to solidify the message that He came to serve and He wanted them and all His followers to go out and do the same.

Why Is It So Important for Us That Jesus Came to Serve?

Jesus set an incredible example for Christians, showing us how we should think, speak, and act. Naturally, we are inclined to want to promote ourselves, have others serve us, and worry about our own needs being met. However, Jesus lived much differently. Jesus came to serve, which reminds us that we as His followers should also prioritize serving others above our own gains and interests.

Jesus came to save, and because of His selflessness, we can have eternal life through Him. His example makes it possible for us to live humbly, serving and loving people rather than fueling pride and self-centeredness.

How Can We Follow His Lead and Serve Others?

As Christians, we have a desire to be like Christ and grow in ways that honor God. We can follow Jesus’ lead and serve others in all the ways we see Him serving throughout the Gospels. Jesus has given us the authority and the strength to serve and love others.

Serving others is an intentional choice we make each day. It begins with setting our minds each morning on what we can do to serve another person and follow in Jesus’ footsteps. We can make it a priority to serve someone else and find encouragement to serve others through participating in church missions (local and global), finding accountability, and prayerfully seeking the ways in which God wants each of us to serve in the settings He has placed us. By following Jesus’ example of service, we get to bring glory and honor to Him!

Jesus frequently referred to Himself as the Son of Man – which conveys His humanity, but also, His glory, power, and everlasting dominion. A significant piece of Jesus’ ministry is that He came to serve and to give His life as a ransom. As followers of Jesus, we should be prepared to serve and help others. We should put others first, just as Jesus did. We can be less concerned with our own needs and accomplishments and instead focus on serving others to further God’s kingdom.

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