Matthew 20:26-28 TPT
[26] But this is not your calling. You will lead by a completely different model. The greatest one among you will live as the one who is called to serve others, [27] because the greatest honor and authority is reserved for the one with the heart of a servant. [28] For 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.”
All who have given their lives to Jesus for safe keeping have been called to a different standard. The expectations of God for a life under His control are different from those who are still in charge of their own lives. The world only understands the language of superiority and domination, and that is why it is will be difficult for those who are under the control and influence of the world to submit to the authority and direction of Jesus. The standards are different; the expectations and demands are different. The context from which the verses above is taken makes it even harder to clarify, because it was the mother of two of the disciples of Jesus who came seeking the best for her sons. She assumed that the kingdom Jesus had come to establish was one that men could strive for by connections, influence or compulsion. Mum wanted to get the best of the kingdom for her sons, even though she did not know what the principles of that kingdom was.
As it was then, so is it now. Men are seeking for clarity for their lives, but they are listening to the wrong source for information and guidance on what to do. The world tells men that the way to the top is to lie, cheat, steal and kill, and there are a lot of examples of men who had gone down that route and have succeeded in creating the image of success. Unfortunately, when these men speak, people listen, and think that this is the right path because of the visible signs of prosperity that they can see. God works by different standards, and the path to His own version of greatness and impact lies in humility and service out of a heart that is fully submitted to Him. The world does not know how to serve without the promise of a reward or a benefit to acquire. God calls me to serve, first out a heart that appreciates what God has done for it, and is grateful to spend the life in daily appreciation of all that God has done.
The standard of God is that the greatest will be the one who lives to serve others. It does not look like what the world can do, but the standard is not set by the world, but by the Word of God. It is only by God's standard that humility comes before the greatest honor. It is also only by God's standard that true authority is reserved for the one with the heart of a servant. It is difficult to explain to a man whose heart is distracted by the world's offerings to serve others with a humble heart. Jesus laid down the perfect example, and He calls all who will follow Him to the same standards. He has given His life as a ransom for all men, and there will be no excuse for not taking up the offer. He is not asking for money; He is asking me to give Him my life, so He can flow in and through it to touch the lives of men around me. Is my heart fully submitted? God's time of favour is here.
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