Matthew 20:25,26 - True Greatness.

Mat.20:25, 26; True Greatness.

Mat 20:25, 26 (CWB)  So Jesus called them all together and said, 
"You know how people love to exercise power over other people and 
that the world measures success by a man's ability to control others. 
But my kingdom is different, and your standards should be different. 
Heaven measures success by what a man does for others, not by what they 
do for him. 

Context

True Greatness is Service.

Cross References

Titus 2:14 (KJV)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem 
us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, 
zealous of good works.  

Ephes. 2:10 (KJV)  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ 
Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should 
walk in them.  

2 Tim. 3:17 (KJV)  That the man of God may be perfect, 
thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  

Hebrews 10:24 (KJV)  And let us consider one another to provoke 
unto love and to good works:  

Matthew 5:16 (KJV)  Let your light so shine before men, that 
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in 
heaven.  

Commentary / Application

Antidote to Apathy
What is the best antidote to apathy? Is it a motivational 
seminar? A weekend retreat? A new book that will change your life? These 
kinds of programs may bring temporary relief, but they are more like 
changing the channel when we are already overweight couch Christians.  
No, the best antidote to apathy is service.  
Evangelicals often put being saved and going to heaven in the 
same sentence, as if heaven were the only goal of our salvation. But 
the truth is we are saved to serve. Heaven is important, but heaven 
can wait. God saves us because He has a job for us to do in His 
kingdom here on earth. If heaven is the whole point of our salvation, 
then what do we do while we wait?  
It's amazing how many of our own problems dissipate when we 
begin caring about other people's problems instead of focusing on our 
own. We've picked up some very bad habits from our culture. We have a 
tendency to be preoccupied with our own needs and constantly trying to 
fulfill them. Advertising plays into this self-indulgence, promising 
that one more product will be the thing that will finally satisfy us. 
The truth of the matter is that "getting" will never come close to 
the satisfaction that "giving" affords.  
Think of someone you know who is truly happy and I venture to 
guess you will find someone busy serving others. The supreme example 
of Mother Theresa comes to mind. If, in fact, our troubles will 
never go away (and I don't believe they ever will in this life), then 
to focus on them and try to solve them is going to be nothing but a 
broken record. Make one problem go away, and watch another one crop up 
immediately. To give yourself to the task of helping with the problems of 
those around you may not make your own problems go away, but it will 
make them less of a drag in your life. Focusing on our own problems 
can lead to anxiety, frustration and even depression. Focusing on 
other people's problems leads to usefulness and a greater sense of 
health.  
So today, when you are tempted to look inwardly to your own 
needs, look out, instead, to the needs of those around you and watch 
your own needs diminish by comparison. You may even forget yourself 
in the process.  
Jesus hung on a cross and thought of those who put him there and 
pleaded their case before His Father because He knew they didn't realize 
the full impact of what they were doing. Can you imagine having even 
a fleeting thought about someone else if you were in that much 
pain yourself? But that's just the thing about Jesus: He was always 
thinking of someone else. by John Fischer at PurposeDrivenLife.com  

The natural pride of man asks for self-glory.  God's way is to 
serve.  This is one of the most powerful principles in Scripture.  
Regardless of position, you can always be a servant.  That isn't being a 
doormat. It never includes doing something illegal or immoral.  But how 
often do we take offense if we are asked to do something "below" us.  
Wisdom must be used, and balance maintained.  Even so, much hurt will 
be avoided, when we take this principle to heart.  And having the 
heart of a servant protects us in a marvelous way because God protects 
us as we serve Him.  Are you a true servant?  Whether you are a 
janitor, teacher or CEO of a great company, believers are all called to 
"be the willing slave of all."  [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom] 

The one who stands nearest to Christ will be he who on earth has 
drunk most deeply of the spirit of His self-sacrificing love,--love 
that "vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, . . . seeketh not her 
own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil,"--love that moves the 
disciple, as it moved our Lord, to give all, to live and labor and 
sacrifice, even unto death, for the saving of humanity.  DA548-551 

John 13:14-15 (KJV)  If I then, your Lord and Master, have 
washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have 
given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.