The Heart of a Servant
“…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
— Matthew 20:26–28
In a world obsessed with climbing ladders and sitting on thrones, Jesus presents a radically different paradigm of greatness. In Matthew 20:26–28, He turns our understanding upside down – greatness, according to the kingdom of heaven, is rooted not in power and authority, but in service and humility.
In the corridors of worldly power, greatness is often measured by how many people serve you. Yet, in the realm of the Kingdom, Jesus flips the script: true greatness is measured by how many people you serve. It’s a challenging perspective, especially when our natural inclinations lean towards self-promotion and seeking personal accolades.
Jesus, our ultimate role model, lived out this principle to the fullest. The King of kings chose to be a servant. The One who deserved all service, served others – washing feet, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and ultimately, giving His life for us. His life was a masterclass in servanthood, a call to a life of selfless service.
Now, let’s talk about you and me. It’s easy to read these verses and nod in agreement, but living them out? That’s where the real challenge lies. It’s about choosing to serve when you’d rather be served, about taking the lower place when you could claim the higher one, about washing feet when you could be sitting at the table.
So, how do we cultivate a heart of servanthood? It starts with our perspective. We need to see service not as a step down, but as a step up in our spiritual journey. Serving others is not losing out; it’s leading like Jesus. It’s about making a choice every day to put others’ needs above our own, to see people through the lens of love and compassion, and to act in their best interest.
Today, as you reflect on Jesus’ teaching, ask yourself: “Where can I serve?” It might be in your home, your workplace, your church, or your community. Look for opportunities to put others first and yourself second.
Prayer: Lord, help me to embrace and practice the humility and servanthood taught by Jesus. Give me the strength to serve others selflessly, to see greatness in humility, and to live out my faith in actions that reflect Your love. Amen.