Jesus taught frequently about exalting the humble and humbling the proud. Indeed in Mark 10:45, Jesus proclaimed this about Himself – “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus set the example for His disciples in the way He lived His earthly ministry, and ultimately in offering His own life in our place – taking the rightful judgment for our sins upon Himself in the ultimate act of humility.

God’s people Israel certainly didn’t expect their long-awaited Messiah to come as such a humble “Servant King,” but Mark’s gospel makes clear that Jesus perfectly fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy about God’s Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53), while John the Baptizer served as the messenger sent by God to prepare the way before Him as foretold by Malachi 3:1.