Self-sacrificial service

Jesus was someone who put the interests of others before his own. His passion to see others saved meant he gave his life to rescue them. Jesus describes himself in this way in Mark's gospel:

"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 (NIV)

That same self-sacrificial service is to characterise Christian people. We are not often called upon to give our lives in the service of others, but that is exactly what Christ calls on us to do:

"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it." Mark 8:34-35