The Gospel of Mark presents the Lord Jesus to us as the perfect Servant in His perfect service. His works are emphasized in this Gospel. He was busy here for His Father.

Today’s verse gives us a wonderful overview of the life of our Lord. In His life, as Son of Man, He did not come to be served by His creatures, but He came to serve them. What an amazing thought! The Creator, the maker of heaven and earth, in becoming Man, also became a servant: “Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:5–8).

Then this verse speaks to us of His death. First, it says He gave Himself. His life was not taken from Him, although men went as far as they could to put Him to death. He gave Himself. It was His own voluntary sacrifice. We can each say that He gave Himself for me (Gal. 2:20). He also loved us and gave Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. He also loved the Church and gave Himself for her (Eph. 5:2, 25).

Secondly, it says He gave Himself a “ransom for many.” A ransom price had to be paid to deliver us from the judgment that we deserved for our sins. As is often said, we owed a debt that we could not pay, and He paid a debt that He did not owe.

This ransom was for the many who would believe in Him. In 1 Timothy 2:6 the ransom is said to be for all. In other words, it is available to all. But only those who believe enjoy the benefit of it. Have you believed?