But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:26-28)
What comes to mind when you think of the word leader? Position? Rank? Power? Wealth? This isn’t what God thinks of. While the world often views leadership as an ascent to power, privilege, and control, Jesus taught us a countercultural truth: the path to greatness is found in service. In this passage, Jesus made it clear that greatness in leadership is not achieved through self-promotion and pride but by humbling yourself to serve others. The word minister in the text means servant or attendant—one who focuses on the needs of others first. This idea was just as radical in Jesus’ time as today. Leaders in the kingdom are called to serve rather than to be served.
Jesus delved deeper into this concept by saying that someone who wanted a title like Chief must become the servant of all. Humility is the foundation of kingdom leadership because it aligns us with Christ's example, who, though He was God, humbled Himself to serve humanity.
Jesus didn’t just give us this directive without example; He is the model of what He taught. He came to earth not as a conquering King but as a servant who gave His life for all humanity. His ultimate act of service was being willing to be put to death on the cross, where He became a ransom for many. Jesus, the greatest leader, laid down His life so we could live.
In the kingdom of God, the way up is down. Authentic leadership is not about titles, positions, or accolades but about humbly serving others in love and obedience to Christ. As we follow Jesus’ example, we discover that our most significant impact comes not from lording over others but from lifting them.
Practical Application
True servant leadership starts in the everyday moments. Look for ways to serve your family, coworkers, or community without seeking praise.