What Jesus Did! 'How to Lead' — Matthew 23:11-12

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

[Jesus continued talking to the crowds and his disciples:] "The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
— Matthew 23:11-12 NLT

Key Thought

Humility is a greatly under-emphasized quality among humans. Some don't know what it means, don't know how to appreciate it, don't know how to love with it, and aren't all that sure they want to have it.

Culturally we're much more drawn to the energetic, dynamic, charismatic, crowd-drawing leader. That's who gets the headlines and the attention. But if we listen closely and watch carefully, we can see in Jesus someone who is humble, but strong; humble, but charismatic; humble, but crowd drawing; humble, but dynamic.

You see, the same Lord who stilled the storm and spoke to the crowds is the Lord who washed feet and died on a cross and held babies in his arms when it wasn't politically correct.

So maybe we need to rethink humility and live it like Jesus did. Come to think of it, that's exactly what we need to do; no "maybe" about it! Let's be like Jesus, and the humility comes along with the character!

Today's Prayer

O gracious God, how and why you chose to become one of us in Jesus is too overwhelming to even fully contemplate. Yet your humility in redeeming us, Jesus' humility in saving us, makes such a deep impression on my heart that I want to be more like him. And on those days, dear Father, when I am too proud of myself, humble me gently by reminding me of Jesus' willing service to redeem me and bring me into your family. In the name of Christ the Lord, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Philippians 2:5-11
  • 1 Corinthians 10:32-11:1
  • 1 Peter 3:8

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 23:11-12 NLT — [Jesus continued talking to the crowds and his disciples:] "The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

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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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