Leadership Requires Serving

In Matthew 20:20–28, Jesus teaches one of the most important lessons about leadership, greatness, and servanthood. These verses challenge the way people naturally think about power and success. Even today, they confront our desire to be noticed, promoted, and honored. Jesus shows that in God’s kingdom, greatness looks very different from what the world expects.

The passage begins in verse 20 with a bold request. The mother of James and John comes to Jesus with her sons and kneels before Him. She asks that her two sons be given the places of honor in Jesus’ kingdom—one at His right hand and one at His left. This request may sound strange to us, but it shows how the disciples were still thinking in earthly terms. They believed Jesus was about to set up a powerful kingdom, and they wanted top positions. Their request was not about serving others but about status and recognition. I have always found this scene entertaining:  James and John wanted to be two of the most powerful men on earth, but they had to send their mommy to ask Jesus about it. Not a good start!

Jesus responds gently but firmly. He tells them that they do not understand what they are asking. He asks if they can drink the cup He is going to drink, referring to His coming suffering and death. They confidently answer yes, even though they do not fully understand what that will mean. Jesus explains that they will indeed share in suffering, but the positions of honor are not His to give. They belong to those chosen by the Father. (Keep in mind that Jesus will be sitting at the right hand of the Father, Mark 14:62). This shows that glory in God’s kingdom comes through God’s plan, not human ambition.

When the other ten disciples hear about this request, they become angry. Their reaction reveals that they share the same mindset. They are probably upset not because the request was wrong, but because they were not the ones who made it first. At this moment, Jesus gathers them together and uses the situation as a teaching moment. What follows in verses 25–28 is one of the clearest teachings Jesus gives about leadership and servanthood.

Jesus begins by pointing to the way the world works. He says that rulers of the Gentiles lord their authority over others, and high officials use their power to control people. In the world’s system, greatness is measured by how many people you command and how much influence you have. Power flows from the top down, and leaders often benefit at the expense of those under them.

Then Jesus makes a shocking statement: “Not so with you.” With those four words, He draws a clear line between the world’s way and the kingdom of God. Among Jesus’ followers, greatness is not about control, rank, or recognition. Instead, Jesus says that whoever wants to become great must be a servant, and whoever wants to be first must be a slave. This would have been hard for the disciples to hear. In their culture, servants and slaves had no status or honor. Jesus intentionally uses strong language to show how upside-down God’s kingdom really is.

Jesus does not just teach this idea—He lives it. In verse 28, He points to Himself as the example. He says that the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. This is the heart of the passage. Jesus, the true King, chooses the path of sacrifice. His service is not small or symbolic. It leads all the way to the cross, where He gives His life so others can be set free.

This teaching changes how we view leadership in every area of life. In the church, it means leaders are called to serve, not to dominate. Titles, positions, and platforms are not signs of spiritual greatness. Love, humility, and faithfulness are. At home, it means putting the needs of others before our own. At work, it means working with integrity and care, even when no one notices. Serving does not make us less valuable; in God’s kingdom, it is the pathway to true honor.

Matthew 20:25–28 reminds us that following Jesus is not about climbing higher but bowing lower. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” If we help others, God will reward us when the time is right. When we live as servants, we reflect the heart of Christ. True greatness is not found in being served by others, but in joyfully serving God and the people He places in our lives.

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