KING JESUS: A JOURNEY THROUGH MATTHEW'S GOSPEL (PT 22)

​In today’s world, as throughout history, few people aspire to be servants. Ask a child what they want to be when they grow up, and you’ll rarely, if ever, hear them say, “I want to be a servant!” Servanthood is not something that typically inspires excitement or ambition. There are no degrees or specialized courses on the subject in schools or universities, and it’s not often that people reflect on the idea of serving—putting the needs, happiness, and well-being of others above their own. Serving one another selflessly has become nearly extinct in a society increasingly focused on self-interest and less aware of God. Even within Christianity, where Jesus commands His followers to serve others—"Whoever wants to be great must first become a servant to all"—servant leadership is becoming a lost art.

One powerful example of servant leadership comes from the late 1800s during one of D.L. Moody’s Northfield Bible Conferences in Massachusetts. A large group of European pastors attended the conference, and according to their custom, they placed their shoes outside their rooms at night, expecting them to be cleaned by hall servants. However, this was America, and there were no hall servants. Walking the dormitory halls that night, Moody noticed the shoes and didn’t want his guests to be embarrassed. He was met with silence and excuses when he mentioned the need for some of the ministerial students present. So, Moody quietly gathered the shoes and took them to his room, where, alone, the world’s most famous evangelist at the time sat and polished them one by one. Only the arrival of a friend in the middle of the task revealed what Moody was doing.
When the pastors woke up in the morning, they found their shoes shined, never questioning who had done the work—they assumed it was the servants' job. Moody never told anyone, but his friend shared the story with others. As a result, for the rest of the conference, different men volunteered to shine the shoes secretly. This simple act of humility offers a glimpse into why God used D.L. Moody so powerfully—he possessed a servant’s heart, and this heart of service was the foundation of his true greatness.
 
Matthew 20:20 – 28
 
A Teachable Moment: James, John, and the Kingdom of Heaven
In Matthew 20:20-28, Jesus and His disciples find themselves in a situation ripe for teaching about leadership. The mother of James and John had just asked Jesus to give her sons special positions of honor in His Kingdom—one to sit at His right hand and the other at His left. The other disciples, understandably, were upset. But why? It wasn’t just the audacity of the request—they suspected James and John had put their mother up to it, seeking favoritism and privilege. This tension opens the door for a fundamental lesson: greatness in God’s Kingdom is not about status but service.
 
When Jesus addresses the disciples, He contrasts the worldly concept of leadership—domination and authority—with the Kingdom’s concept of servant leadership. In the world, leaders wield power, seeking credentials and respect as the ultimate markers of greatness. It’s a worldly mentality where greatness is defined by how many followers you have or how much influence you hold. But Jesus flips the script entirely. “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.” (Matt. 20:26-27). Jesus says greatness isn’t about standing above others but standing alongside them, humbling yourself to meet their needs.
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Servant Leadership in Today’s World
Reflect on the world we live in today—where individual success, accolades, and positions of power often define someone’s worth. Social media likes, corporate promotions, and public recognition are markers of success. You're usually dismissed if you don’t have credentials, respect, authority, or a proven track record. But, just as in Jesus’ time, today's world has little regard for those who lead through humble service. Jesus challenges us to think differently: “If you want to be great, you must learn to serve others.”
 
Servant leadership, as modeled by Jesus, is about abandoning the quest for power and authority to serve God and others. It’s about being among people, not above them. A true servant-leader ministers to others, not for personal gain but because that is what Jesus commanded us to do. In 1 Peter 2:16, we are told, “For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.” We are called to a life of freedom in Christ, but that freedom isn’t an excuse to indulge ourselves—it’s a responsibility to serve others.
 
The Ultimate Example of Servant Leadership
Jesus didn’t just teach servant leadership; He lived it. In Matthew 20:28, He says, “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.” This is no small statement—it defines Jesus’ mission on earth. His life was an act of service, concluding in the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. He didn’t come to claim a throne or gather armies; He came to serve humanity, wash feet, touch lepers, heal the sick, and die for our sins.
 
One of the Bible's most vivid illustrations of this servant leadership is in John 13, where Jesus washes His disciples’ feet. This act was radical—washing feet was the job of a servant, not a teacher or master. But Jesus does it to show His disciples that they are called to serve. He tells them, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.” (John 13:13-14). If the Son of God can stoop to serve in this way, how much more should we be willing to humble ourselves in service to others?
 
In Philippians 2:5-7, we see the depth of Jesus’ humility and service: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form.” Jesus, the very image of God, chose to serve those He created. This is the heart of servant leadership—using our position and gifts not for self-promotion but for the good of others.
 
The Right Motivation for Service
As we consider servant leadership, it’s essential to examine our motivations. Why do we serve? Is it to feel good about ourselves, to alleviate guilt, or because we fear judgment if we don’t? These are common reasons, but they miss the heart of Jesus’ teaching. Serving out of guilt or fear can lead to resentment. Serving for personal gain—whether to boost our reputation or for tax write-offs—turns service into a transaction. Jesus calls us to something deeper. Our service must come from a desire to bless others and to glorify God. Anything less falls short of the Kingdom’s standard.
 
Consider Paul’s words in Philippians 2:3-4: “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” True servant leadership requires humility. It’s about putting others first, not because it’s convenient or will earn us recognition, but because that’s the way of Christ. We have all been blessed with gifts—financial resources, talents, spiritual gifts—and these are not meant for our benefit alone. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:23, “I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”
 
Whom Should We Serve?
The question often arises: Whom should we serve? The answer, according to Scripture, is everyone. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:19, “Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.” Serving unbelievers is essential to our witness as Christians. When we serve without expecting anything in return, we show the love of Christ in action. This can be a powerful testimony, drawing people to faith not through words alone but through demonstrating God’s love.
 
But we are also called to serve our fellow believers. In 1 Peter 4:10, we are reminded, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” We are part of a community of faith, and we are responsible for using God's gifts to build one another up. Whether through acts of kindness, encouragement, or practical help, serving within the body of Christ strengthens the Church and glorifies God.
 
What About Ambition?
This brings us to the question, “Is ambition bad?”  Should we never seek ambition in place of service? Ambition is bad when it is motivated by greed, intended to harm others, or seeks to exalt ourselves over others. In this passage, we see that James and John are ambitious people.  They wanted to be significant, do something with their lives, and be a part of God’s Kingdom work.  Yet, their ambitions were off from center. Commentator Michael J. Wilkins writes, “But the right kind of ambition involves hitching our aspirations to selfless servanthood. James’s and John’s strengths were weaknesses because they were greedy and selfish. But when ambition is selflessly directed toward service, God can use it in powerful ways. John’s ambitious drive guided and nurtured the early church in Jerusalem. James’s zeal resulted in his being the first apostle to suffer martyrdom, which became a turning point in the courage of the church.”


We can serve with selfless ambition because Jesus’ obedience in going to the cross liberates us from the power of sin, which is arrogance and selfishness. Thus, the motivation to serve ourselves is broken, and we can focus on serving others. Even as Jesus was the redemptive servant, our discipleship involves selfless servanthood.
 
Practical Ways to Serve
So, how do we serve practically? For unbelievers, it begins with living as the light of Christ. Instead of condemning others for their sin, we can engage with them, showing them the beauty of life in Christ. For fellow believers, serving can take many forms—visiting the sick, providing for those in need, volunteering time and resources, or simply being there for someone in a time of crisis. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to service. What matters is the heart behind it—a desire to bless others and to further the gospel.
 
Conclusion: A Call to Action
As we conclude, the challenge is simple: Go and serve. Whether it’s reaching out to someone who doesn’t know Christ or supporting a brother or sister in the faith, find a way to serve in the name of Jesus. Servant leadership isn’t about waiting for the right opportunity or moment. It’s about stepping out in faith, trusting that God will use your service to bless others and expand His Kingdom. True greatness isn’t found in power or prestige but in humility, service, and following Christ's example. So, go out and serve today for the sake of the gospel and the glory of God.

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