What Jesus Did! 'Not So Among You!' — Matthew 20:25-26

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

[When there was indignation among the twelve disciples about who would be given places of honor,] Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."
— Matthew 20:25-26 NLT

Key Thought

"But among you it will be different."

Jesus was dramatic and emphatic. It doesn't matter what the latest leadership trend may be! It doesn't matter what the culture around us dictates! It doesn't matter what we may have seen in our leaders! In Jesus' Kingdom, leaders are not bosses and leadership is not about exerting authority. Leadership is about service and example.

Jesus' words are made even more powerful by his example. He doesn't just say it; he shows it in what he does to prepare his disciples for his death and how he goes to his death for them and for us.

Today's Prayer

Holy and loving Almighty God, you have all power and might, yet you demonstrated your love and leadership in Jesus. I pray that you will pour out your Spirit on us each day, especially our leaders, so that we will have leaders who display the character, courage, and charity of Jesus. I pray especially that you make me a more diligent and selfless servant. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Servant!
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"[To his twelve disciples, Jesus said,] "Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must..."
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We all need a 'Someone-For-Us' Friend! Phil Ware reminds us of Jesus' idea of greatness and challenges us to follow the example of the often forgotten Onesiphorus, a "One-Who-Is-For-Us" friend.
The Misunderstanding
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Without understanding the cross, we turn Christianity into another human contest about self-importance. Phil Ware shares his third post on The Question, Peter's confession of Jesus and how he had to be broken before he could really understand what his confession meant.

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 20:25-26 NLT — Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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