Day 19 — The Greatest Serve

“But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

— Mark 10:43–45 (BSB)

Two of Jesus’ disciples, the brothers James and John, came to Jesus with a big request. “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And they answered, “Grant that one of us may sit at Your right hand and the other at Your left in Your glory.” In other words: Give us the most important seats! Make us the greatest!

When the other ten disciples heard about it, they were angry. Probably because they wanted those seats too!

So Jesus gathered them all together and explained. In the world, He said, people who are “great” are the ones who boss others around. Rulers show off their power. Leaders get served. But then Jesus said, “It shall not be this way among you.”

In God’s kingdom, everything is flipped. “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”

Then Jesus pointed to Himself. “Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Jesus is the greatest person who ever lived, the King of kings. And how did He show His greatness? By serving. By washing feet. By dying on the cross for us.

That’s what real leadership looks like. The best leaders aren’t the ones who are bossy, or who get the most attention, or who make everybody do what they want. The best leaders are the ones who serve others.

You might be a leader right now: a team captain, an older sibling, a class helper or the one your friends follow. And if you’re not yet, you probably will be someday. Here’s how to lead like Jesus:

• Put others first. Think about what’s good for the group, not just for you.
• Do the jobs nobody wants. Great leaders don’t think they’re too important for small tasks.
• Listen. Care about what other people think and feel.
• Help others succeed. Celebrate when they do well.
• Set an example. Don’t ask others to do what you won’t do.

The world asks, “How many people serve you?” Jesus asks, “How many people do you serve?”

Think about it: Who is a leader you know who serves others? What makes them a good leader?

Try this: If you’re a leader in any group (at home, school, a team or church), find a way to serve the people you lead today.

Dear Jesus, You are the King of everything, but You came to serve. Help me understand that true greatness means serving others. Whenever I lead, help me lead like You, with a servant’s heart. In Your name, Amen.