8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:8-12
“The greatest among you will be your servant” is a stunning statement, isn’t it? It’s such a different way of thinking from the world’s point of view.
The world teaches us to “be the best you can be because you’re worth it” and “go for the gusto.”
Me me me me me.
The kids growing up today only know that life is all about them. The “helicopter” parents didn’t help matters.
But back to the point of these verses.
Serving others can come in many forms.
God wants us to have servant hearts, even in leadership.
But it goes beyond servant hearts. We are to serve others, not just want to serve others.
Again, we find our role model in Jesus Christ.
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Meditate on these words today. Ask the Lord what you can do today to live out “the greatest among you will be your servant.”