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Key Bible Verses: Jesus told them, "In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people …. But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant." (Luke 22:25-26) Dig Deeper: Philippians 2:3-11

As each disciple debated the merits of his own case for greatness, comparing credentials and résumés, the door opened and Jesus entered the Upper Room. Immediately, the argument ended. The scene reminds me of an experience I had in fourth grade. Whenever our teacher, Mrs. Harris, left the classroom, we set a guard at the door to watch for her return. In her absence, we had wadded-up paper fights and spitball wars. But as soon as our lookout spotted Mrs. Harris returning down the hallway, we scooped up the mess and sat in our chairs like a class of angels.

Unlike Mrs. Harris, Jesus knew exactly what was going on with his disciples. But he didn't scold or punish them, as Mrs. Harris would have done had she caught us. Instead, he reminded his disciples that, in his kingdom, the greatest would be least and the meek most powerful.

On the TV show Undercover Boss, the CEO of Frontier Airlines concealed his identity and took on a job cleaning planes, including dumping sewage and cleaning vomit. This is a powerful illustration of the leader becoming least. In the kingdom of God, serving others isn't a temporary undercover role; it's a way of life that sees beauty in service, power in humility.

—Bill Perkins in The Jesus Experiment

My Response: How do I see "beauty in service, power in humility" and not end up feeling like people are walking all over me?

Thought to Apply: Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending.—Saint Augustine (theologian, philosopher)

Adapted from The Jesus Experiment (Tyndale, 2011) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.

Copyright © 2012 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Dear Father, help me to slow down and think deeply and often about the truth that "the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

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