The Last Shall Be First: Learning to Lead Like Jesus
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” — Mark 9:35
The Upside-Down Kingdom
In the world’s system, the path to greatness is all about climbing ladders, collecting titles, and making sure people know your name. But in Jesus’ Kingdom, the ladder is upside down. The way up is actually down—and that can feel so counterintuitive. When Jesus sat down with His disciples and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all,” He was redefining success in a way that must have stunned them.
Can you imagine how quiet that room got? They had been debating about who was the greatest, probably imagining who would sit closest to Jesus in His glory. But He didn’t affirm their ambition—He redirected it. He told them that the real measure of greatness was found in humility and service.
This is where we have to ask ourselves: What am I chasing? Am I striving to be noticed, or am I willing to do the unseen things that please God? Am I more concerned about applause on earth or reward in Heaven? The upside-down Kingdom forces us to wrestle with those questions.
And here’s the challenge—living this way requires courage. It means you might not get the recognition you “deserve.” It means you might pour yourself into people who never say thank you. But in God’s Kingdom, nothing done in service for Him is wasted—not one small act (Matthew 10:42).
Servanthood is More Than a Task
Sometimes we treat serving like a box we check off. We volunteer at church, help with a fundraiser, or mow the neighbor’s lawn, and think, Okay, I did my good deed for the week. But Jesus wasn’t calling His disciples to occasional acts of service—He was inviting them to embrace a servant’s posture.
A servant’s heart shows up in everyday moments, not just organized opportunities. It’s in offering to help a coworker without being asked, listening with your full attention when a friend is talking, or letting someone else have the “last word” in a conversation. It’s in cleaning up the kitchen at home when no one’s looking or sending a note of encouragement on a busy day.
If we’re honest, this isn’t easy—because serving often costs us something. Time, convenience, energy, and sometimes even comfort. That’s why Jesus tied greatness to servanthood—because it requires selflessness, and selflessness reflects His heart.
So here’s the question to ponder: Do I serve only when it’s convenient or visible, or am I willing to serve when no one sees and it’s not my “job”? If the answer stings a little, you’re not alone. We all need God’s help to cultivate a heart that sees opportunities to serve as a privilege, not a chore.
Why Serving is So Powerful
Serving changes the atmosphere—both around you and inside you. When you serve, you push back against the selfishness that the world normalizes. You break cycles of “me-first” thinking and replace them with Kingdom priorities. And in a world that’s always asking, “What’s in it for me?” your willingness to serve with no strings attached shines like a light.
Philippians 2:3–4 challenges us to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility value others above yourselves.” That’s not just about being polite—it’s about truly considering other people’s needs as important as your own. Serving does that. It turns your focus outward, which is exactly what Jesus modeled when He knelt down to wash His disciples’ feet (John 13:14–15).
And serving has a ripple effect. When someone experiences unexpected kindness, it often stirs something in them to pass it on. One simple act—buying lunch for a coworker, visiting a sick neighbor, or helping a stranger—can set off a chain reaction of grace you may never see the end of.
So ask yourself: What if my quiet act of service today is the answer to someone else’s prayer? Wouldn’t that make it worth every inconvenience? That’s why serving is so powerful—it doesn’t just meet a need; it reveals the heart of Jesus in tangible form.
Practical Ways to Live This Out
Serving like Jesus isn’t confined to one place or one type of relationship—it’s a lifestyle that touches everyone around you. Here are some specific, real-world ideas to get you started. The possibilities are endless…
Serving Neighbors
Bring in their trash cans or mow their lawn without being asked.
Bake something homemade and drop it off “just because.”
Offer to watch their pets or water plants when they’re away.
Serving Friends
Check in with a phone call instead of just a quick text.
Drop off coffee, a meal, or a small surprise during a hard week.
Be a listening ear without rushing to give advice.
Serving Extended Family
Send handwritten notes to grandparents, aunts, or uncles.
Offer childcare for relatives who need a break.
Help organize family gatherings or pitch in with planning.
Serving Children
Volunteer in children’s ministry at church.
Take time to get on their level and really listen to their stories.
Speak words of encouragement into their lives—tell them what you see in them.
Serving Government Officials
Pray regularly for local, state, and national leaders.
Send a note of appreciation to your mayor, council members, or school board.
Offer to volunteer for a community cleanup or local initiative.
Serving Servers and Retail Workers
Learn their name and use it.
Be patient, even when things are slow.
Tip generously and thank them sincerely for their service.
Serving Leaders
Offer encouragement instead of only bringing problems.
Cover them in prayer—leaders often carry heavy unseen burdens.
Volunteer to help with projects that lighten their workload.
Serving the Young and the Old
Mentor a younger person in your workplace, church, or community.
Visit a nursing home or call elderly friends and relatives regularly.
Offer rides, help with errands, or tech assistance to those who need it.
Serving in Everyday Encounters
Hold the door open with a smile.
Offer your seat to someone else in a crowded place.
Say a kind word to the cashier, delivery driver, or stranger in line.
Walk It Out
Take a 10-minute walk and ask God to show you one person you can serve today. It might be through a simple act, a word of encouragement, or giving your time to meet their need.
Love in Action
Find a way to quietly bless someone today without seeking recognition—whether that’s paying for a coffee, doing a hidden act of kindness, or stepping in to lighten someone’s load. Let your service point directly to Jesus.
