What Jesus Did! 'Servant!' — Matthew 20:26-27

Thursday, September 25, 2025

[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 become your slave."
— Matthew 20:26-27 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus' Kingdom operates by a different set of standards. Greatness is not found in position. Greatness is not found in the exercise of power. Greatness is not found in being served. Greatness is not found in commanding others. Greatness is not found in wealth. Greatness is not found in intellect.

In Jesus' Kingdom, greatness is found in serving. If you are going to become greatest among Jesus' followers, you are going to serve, especially your own family (1 Timothy 5:8) and your Kingdom family members. It's that simple. But in case we forget, Jesus gave us the cross to remind us that the path of obedience, the path to greatness, the path of glory is found in serving God by serving others.

Today's Prayer

Holy and powerful God, you humbled yourself to save me. How can I understand that, much less adequately thank you for it? But I know you want me to show that same graciousness by serving others, especially my own family and my brothers and sisters in Christ. Make my eyes more able to see and my hands more willing to do for others what you would do for them. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Not So Among You!
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[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...."
Someone for Us
Article by Phil Ware
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
Article by Phil Ware
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 20:26-27 NLT — [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 become your slave."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, September 25, 2025

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Imitating God' (Ep. 4:29-5:2)
"Dear Father, worthy of my love and obedience, Let nothing evil come out of my mouth - only what is good for building others up. Let whatever I say..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Song of Songs 8:13
"My sweet Lord Jesus remembers well the garden of Gethsemane, and although he has left that garden, he now dwells in the garden of his church: there he..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Charles Pollard:
"If the heart can conceive it, and the mind can believe it, God can achieve it."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Respect for Leaders' (Acts 23:4-5)
"Those standing near Paul [when he spoke harshly to the high priest who had slapped him in the face] said to him, "Do you dare to insult God's high..."

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.

More What Jesus Did!