"Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29b)

Jesus' Startling Announcement (Luke 4:14-21)
* Early in Jesus' public ministry, he made a startling announcement. He announced the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-2, thus implying that he was the great Prophet, and the Messiah! What did he come to do? Jesus came to 1) preach good news to the poor; 2) proclaim freedom for the prisoners; 3) proclaim recovery of sight for the blind; 4) release the oppressed; and 5) proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. This has spiritual significance for each one of us (see Lesson 2).

Jesus' Strange Prediction (Mark 10:32-34)
* Relatively late in Jesus' public ministry, he made a strange prediction.
1. Read Mark 10:32-34. What does Jesus say will happen?

The Method of Jesus' Mission
* Jesus' disciples had a difficult time relating Jesus' "startling announcement" with his "strange prediction." How could the Messiah establish his kingdom and suffer a humiliating death at the same time? The disciples misunderstood the method of Jesus' mission.
2. Read Mark 10:35-45. How do James and John show their misunderstanding? What is hindering (getting in the way of) their understanding?

Question for Personal Reflection
> In your pursuit to understand the truth about God and meaning & purpose in life, is it possible that your understanding is hindered by attitudes of selfish desire, selfish ambition, pride, self-sufficiency, and/or unwillingness to submit to God's authority?

* In Jesus' response to James and John, he referred to the "cup" and "baptism" he would experience. These terms refer to Jesus' suffering and death.

3. What does Jesus explain about true greatness (10:42-44)? What do you think about this?

4. In our passage, how is Jesus the supreme example of service (Mark 10:45)? What did Jesus mean by saying he came "to give his life as a ransom for many?"

Terms Related to Jesus' Mission as a "Ransom"
* Redeem, Redemption. "For [God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves (that is, Jesus Christ), in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14, NIV).
* Atone, Atonement. "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10, NIV).

Jesus' Mission as Fulfillment of Prophecy
* About 700 years before Jesus made the statement recorded in Mark 10:45, Isaiah spoke of a suffering servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). Isaiah's prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus in amazing detail. Why did Jesus suffer and die?

† He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4).
† He was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5a).
† The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5b).
† The Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).
† The Lord made His life a guilt offering (Isaiah 53:10b).
† He bore the iniquities of many (Isaiah 53:11b).
† He bore the sin of many (Isaiah 53:12b).

Personal Reflection & Application

> Jesus gave his life (suffering a humiliating death on the cross) so that we could be set free from captivity to sin and death. What do you think about this? How should you respond? If you are a Christian, how should this affect your daily life?

> Read and think about Isaiah 52:13-53:12, 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2, and 1 John 4:7-12; and respond appropriately.