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

Thursday, September 25, 2025

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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 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

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

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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 20:26-27 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."

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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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