John 18:37-38 CSB
"You are a king then?" Pilate asked. "You say that I'm a king," Jesus replied. "I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." [38] "What is truth?" said Pilate. After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, "I find no grounds for charging him.
Mark 10:43-45 CSB
"But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, [44] and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. [45] For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Being Humble
I remember a class at the University where we studied different personality types. One that always intrigued me was the “Type A” personality. These individuals are ambitious, impatient, and move with a relentless sense of urgency. They are highly competitive and often feel a deep need to stay in control. While they are incredibly productive—the people you go to if you want a goal achieved—their drive can often create high stress levels for themselves and those around them. If left unchecked, that ambition can even hurt the people they are meant to lead.
The good news is that our traits aren’t set in stone. As we age and grow in our walk, we often become more agreeable, conscientious, and emotionally stable. However, the human urge to “lord it over others” is a stubborn one. Sometimes we seek control because we’ve been hurt in the past and never want to feel vulnerable again.
But Jesus flips this worldly logic upside down. He says in Mark, “Whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all.” He didn’t just say these words; He lived them by washing the feet of His apostles. Some churches still practice foot-washing today, and it is a deeply humbling experience to wash the feet of a man who has been working hard in the trenches all day long.
Jesus is the Great King—Lord over everything—and yet He came to this earth not to be served, but to serve us. He humbled Himself even to the point of death on a cross. When we truly grasp this, it changes everything about how we view power.
A “Type A” personality (or any personality type, for that matter) can take their natural strengths and redirect them toward others. An ambitious boss can become a servant leader who uses that drive for the benefit of the team. When destructive pride is removed, we realize we aren’t the ones in control. There is only one Lord, and that is Jesus. If the King of Kings chose to serve, then we are certainly called to do the same. If we want to be first in His Kingdom, we must learn to be the servant of all.
Reflection Questions
- Looking at my own personality, what are the “strengths” I have that sometimes accidentally cause stress or hurt to others?
- When was the last time I performed a “lowly” task for someone else without seeking any recognition for it?
- In what area of my life am I still trying to “lord it over” a situation instead of trusting the Father’s control?
Prayer
Father,
Thank You for the unique way You have wired me. Forgive me for the times my ambition or my need for control has caused me to forget my calling to serve. Thank You for the example of Your Son, who laid aside His crown to wash the feet of His followers. Help me to use my drive and my energy to lift others up rather than push myself forward. Teach me the beauty of humility and the strength that comes from being a servant.
Amen.
