Matthew 20:26
Sunday, 14 June 2026
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. Matthew 20:26
“Not thus, also, it will be in you, but whoever if he wills in you to ‘great, become’, let him be your attendant.” (CG)
In the previous verse, Jesus noted that the rulers of the nations subjugate their people and the “greats” dominate them. Despite that being the normal way of the world, He continues, “Not thus, also, it will be in you.”
The paradigm in Christ’s kingdom will not be in accord with that of the nations, which is one of authority ruling with power and pressure. Without even hearing His words, we can go back to the beginning and see what it was like in Eden.
Though little is recorded, and what was said may have been left unrecorded, it can be seen that the Lord gave great freedom to the man. There was a law, but it was at the extreme end of anything considered oppressive.
He was allowed the freedom to eat anything he wanted, with one exception. And more, the one exception was made with freedom of choice as to whether he would eat it or not. He was, however, given the warning of negative consequences if he did. There was no hint of subjugation or domination.
In Christ’s coming, the same was true. Jesus was their leader. Even if they didn’t know His nature at the time, they knew He was sent from God. And they were given the choice of continuing to follow Him or not –
“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’
68 But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”
Knowing these things already, Jesus begins to define what kingdom greatness is like, saying, “but whoever if he wills in you to ‘great, become’, let him be your attendant.”
Rather than being forced, greatness is based on the will of the person, meaning free will desires for pleasing the ruler. But in order to please Him, in His eyes, it is for the one seeking that position to be an attendant to others.
The idea of “self” that is found in the nation’s rulers is turned upside down. Rather, Jesus desires selflessness. Instead of demanding service, voluntary servitude is seen.
Life application: In the United States, the same attitude that is found in Jesus’ words is laid out for those in positions of power in the same verbiage that is seen in Jesus’ words. People who work for the governing body are said to enter “public service.”
The words form an ideal that is sadly lacking in the hearts and minds of most government officials today. Instead of the government serving the people, it engages in ruling tyrannically over them. This is especially so on the left side of the aisle.
Those in the democrat party (which has essentially become socialist, leaning toward communist) want total governmental control over all aspects of life. This model, failed as it is, has seen the extermination of hundreds of millions of people around the world. It is an ideology of total subjugation and dogged domination.
Those at the top are not “servants” of the public, but power-seeking executioners, waiting with bated breath for anyone to reverence God, demonstrate a desire for personal freedom, or uphold biblical morality. When this is seen, they are pursued as if they are terrorists.
The struggle is real, and at some point, the people will relinquish their heritage, and the American experiment will end. People cannot seem to live in a society without desiring control, even to the point of bondage.
Jesus’ kingdom will never allow such an attitude. The Head of the kingdom gave up everything to come in the form of a bondservant to redeem His people. He will, therefore, ensure that the idea of “public service” is upheld in an eternal manner.
The shackles of this fallen world will be forever removed. Hallelujah for Jesus. He has made possible that which man cannot fully attain. All praises to our God.
Lord God, it is very hard not to want to have authority and rule in some fashion or another. We feel that “our way is the right way,” often to the point where we want to impose it on others. But Lord, what is revealed in Your word is truly the right way. May we be willing to follow that path at all times. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.
