Matthew 20:20-34

“Whoever wants to be first among you will be your slave—” Matthew 20:27 CEB

“You can become whatever you desire, even President.” Many of us have heard similar statements about our potential growing up. They were meant to encourage us to become our best selves, to work hard, and to succeed. I remember never thinking I wanted to be President, though. All kinds of other possibilities did cross my mind including a famous singer, actor, basketball star, and a business guru all of whom earned great respect and loads of money. But never in any of those dreams or through the wise counsel of teachers and mentors was ever mentioned or considered the possibility of becoming a slave as the pinnacle of career choices.

It is called the great reversal, “The last shall be first” language of Jesus. It’s counterintuitive and countercultural. It defies logic and in some ways even common sense. Yet, this is the way of Jesus, both his teaching and example. His challenge and charge is for his followers to take up their cross and follow Him…by being a servant of others.

That language still confounds Christians, especially in our American church popular prosperity Gospel context. In fact, it borders on offensive.

But there is no misunderstanding of Jesus’ words here. In fact, it is crystal clear. The point of being a follower of Jesus Christ, of even being called a Christian (a little Christ), is to serve others. That’s the pinnacle of love (John 15:13).

So, this Lent, what will you strive to become?