“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” Matt. 20:26-27 (NIV). This may not seem like an encouragement at first but it is a tremendous encouragement. Jesus promises that those who serve will be great in his kingdom. This promise encourages us because it sets us free from status-seeking in this world. Status in this world doesn’t count for anything in the New Creation to come. Being a servant and learning how to bless others is what counts in the next age. This is another feature of God’s upside-down kingdom. You can be the weakest, smallest, least-educated and most neglected person in your city but if you adopt a servant’s heart then you will be greater than everyone in your city who does not have a servant’s heart. Thus, God has healed the broken-hearted and raised up the humble.
