This passage is about greatness. Jesus says if you want to be great, then you must be a servant. Notice he doesn’t say you must serve. Serving is what you do: helping others, meeting a need, providing care – these are all things God wants you to do.
But how many of you know that it’s possible to serve but to do it for the wrong reasons?
Jesus doesn’t just tell you to serve, he says, be a servant.
For Jesus, greatness isn’t self-centred, it’s others-focused. It’s not motivated by self-interest, it’s motivated by a desire to bless. That’s why True greatness is seeking the best for others even at great cost to yourself.
If you want to be great, Jesus says, Be a servant.
So what is a servant?
A servant is someone who serves their master. They don’t call the shots. They don’t make the rules. Their job is to do their master’s will and carry out his purposes.
A servant will do anything, however costly or inconvenient. Because being a servant isn’t just what you do, it’s who you are. God doesn’t just care about your actions, he cares more about your attitude and motivation.
So why do you want to be great? Why do you do the things you do?
