“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” Matt. 20:25-26
Lord Jesus, it seems like you’re describing a destructive domino dynamic of power is this passage. Gentile rulers “lord over” those under them, and those same rulers have high officials “lording over” them. The controlled tend to look for someone else to control. Those living under threat threaten others. Those with angry boss’s boss others around. The shamed shame.
“Not so with you,” you said to your disciples. True greatness, according to you, is “lording under.” Leaders getting low, very low. To use a scepter to control people only requires sitting down on a throne. To use a towel to wash feet requires getting all the way down on our knees.
Lord Jesus, you created the entire universe (Col. 1:16; John 1:3). You sustain all things by the power of your word (Heb. 1:3) You are the ruler of the kings of the earth (Rev. 1:5). You are currenting making all things new (Rev. 21:5). One Day, all things will be summed up in you (Eph. 1:10).
Yet, so gloriously yet, you took the lowest place imaginable. You didn’t just stoop to wash our feet, but to wash our hearts. Your cross is quintessential greatness, revolutionary leadership—our only hope, and the surety of our salvation. As the Lord over all things, you are the Lord who got under the weight of our sin, taking the judgment we deserve.
Humbled and grateful, we go with you into our marriages, parenting, vocations, boardrooms, friending, and neighboring, as servants. So very Amen.
