For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
“Thou shalt remember the day of judgment night and day, and thou shalt seek out day by day the persons of the saints, either laboring by word and going to exhort them and meditating how thou mayest save souls by thy word, or thou shalt work with thy hands for a ransom for thy sins.
Epistle of Barnabas 19:10 (c. A.D. 80-120) translated by J.B. Lightfoot.
The next early Christian writing in the Apostolic Fathers is the Epistle of Barnabas. This text urges us to “remember the day of judgment day and night.” This is an early church call to live in light of eternity rather than focus on earthly concerns.
Notice, from that point, we are urged to seek out the saints and labor by word or work with our hands for a “ransom” for our sins. So, what is this referring to and how might it relate to us today and to our generosity?
Jesus told us in today’s Scripture that He came to serve and to give His life as a ransom. Basically the early church aimed to live likewise. Whether by spoken word or manual work, they gave themselves as a ransom.
Here’s what happens when we don’t follow this counsel. We tend to amass possessions for ourselves rather than expending ourselves. We collecct experiences rather than aiming to seek out and serve people generously.
God help us serve others give our lives as a ransom just like Jesus. Amen.