And whoever wants to be first among you, let him be the servant of all.
The Lord again deepens the same principle. The path to being first passes through serving everyone. This is completely contrary to the nature of sinful man, who desires recognition, preeminence, and influence. But in Christ’s kingdom, preeminence is bound up with self-giving. To be “the servant of all” does not mean a slavish humiliation to people’s whims, but voluntary service for the sake of God’s love. This standard shatters spiritual pride and establishes the royal dignity of humility.