Kingdom Culture of Serving
“You will lead by a completely different model. The greatest one among you will live as the one who is called to serve others.” Matthew 20:26
In the kingdom of God, serving is our culture. It starts with our king, Jesus. In Matthew 20:28, our King said, “Even the Son of Man did not come expecting to be served, but to serve and give His life in exchange for the salvation of many.” Jesus said this in response to a situation where the mother of two of His team asked for her sons to have a higher position in the kingdom, which caused some tension among the rest of the disciples. Jesus never said it was wrong to want to be great and do great things, but He did instruct them on kingdom culture. He pointed to the difference in the world’s culture compared to His kingdom. In the world system, which has been affected by sin, the way to lead is through control and overpowering. In comparison, Jesus explained that to be great in His kingdom, we operate in our authority with a heart to love and serve, not to use our authority to dominate. When we serve, there is a holy honor that goes with it (Matthew 20:27).
What does it mean to serve? I think one of the best examples is found in Matthew 8:5-13, written about the roman centurion. It was his servant who was ill. As the authority over the servant, the centurion chose to go to Jesus, recognizing Jesus had authority over sickness. Jesus offered to go to servant, but the commander understood authority and servanthood. Soldiers know how to serve their country, their commander, and their troops. They get their marching orders from their authority, and they serve by honoring that authority and carrying out their mission. In 2 Timothy 2:4, Paul writes to Timothy, “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
As Christian soldiers serving in Christ’s kingdom, we are called to go on a mission. Jesus said that His mission was to seek and save the lost; Jesus didn’t live for His own agenda. It was an assignment from above, and He lived to serve His Father. He was complete in God, not needing to pull on others, but free to serve. We are to do the same.
When we are sold out to the Lord in full surrender and obedience , there is access to God’s kingdom authority, position, resources, and power. Many miss out on knowing greater measures of God’s glory because they live lesser than their royal family heritage. Let’s press on to know the Lord by learning the heart of His servant.
Application: Sometimes a worldly way of exercising our authority can creep in. As parents, employers, pastors, or community leaders, are we leading from love? Or are we leading from a place of control? Examine yourself and ask God how you can develop your serve.