The Humble Heart—Matthew 20:25-28
“Jesus had one purpose from which He never swerved.”
Have you ever thought about how strange Christian “talk” must sound to someone that doesn’t know Christ? “You must die in order to live.” “You must be born a second time.” In this passage Jesus teaches His disciples about the true path to greatness in a way that sounds strange to many. His disciples expected Jesus to become an earthly king. They dreamed of their own prestige in that kingdom. Perhaps Peter wanted to be Jesus’ Prime Minister – the chief spokesperson for the group. James and John – Zebedee’s “sons of thunder” wanted the exalted positions of Jesus’ counselors sitting on either side of Him. They had their mother ask for these positions on their behalf. Other disciples were angry that they hadn’t thought of asking first. And it is certain that Judas Iscariot wanted the job of treasurer.
The world says, “Be your own boss,” and “Look out for #1,” and “Sometimes you have to step on people to get your goals accomplished.” These philosophies aren’t new. Jesus said, “Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them ” (Matthew 20:25). How we often covet the positions of authority, prestige, influence, and power! Yes, it even happens within the church. Such was the problem of Diotrephes. III John 1:9 says, “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not .”
But God’s ways are not our ways. Who IS to have the preeminence—the greatest place of power, prestige, authority, and influence in our church? Jesus! ”… He is he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence ” (Colossians 1:18). Jesus Himself set the supreme example of the humble heart when He left His heavenly glory to live as a man. During His earthly ministry you would not have found Him handsome (Isaiah 53:2). He did not enjoy this world’s riches. He was a companion of poor fishermen. He had no bed of His own in which to lay His head. But He had one purpose from which He never swerved: ” Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many ” (Matthew 20:28).
” Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ” (Philippians 2:9-11). So what is the path to true greatness? ”… Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: ” (Matthew 20:26-27).
How would you like a promotion? Psalm 75:6-7 says, ” For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another .” Stop here and read that again. Did you see what was missing from the verse? Only three compass directions are mentioned – the east, the west, and the south. Why does the Psalmist not mention the north? Here’s why: In the Tabernacle, the sacrifice was killed on the north side of altar. You see, God promotes those who sacrificially serve others – the humble servant’s heart is the beginning of the true path to greatness. Are you serving others sacrificially? Would you right now commit yourself to do that in prayer?
Author: Robert W. Rohlin
This devotional first appeared September 27, 1998 in the Advancer , a Sunday school teacher’s guide published by the Baptist Publishing House . It is gratefully used here with permission from the publisher.