The priorities of our culture are often at odds with the priorities of God. The world teaches us that the road to success is clawing our way to the top. Jesus taught his disciples to claw their way to the bottom. Success isn’t gained by stepping over or on others. Instead, it is gained by becoming the “servant of all.”

Wise priorities are the result of learning to think biblically. God sent his Son to the world so that the world might be saved, but Jesus is also our example and teacher for how to live in this world. God’s people wanted a king, someone to look up to on earth. Eventually, the kings would become one of the reasons the promised land was divided and finally defeated by conquering nations. 

God’s people didn’t need a king because they already had the King of kings and Lord of lords. It’s never been easy for God’s children to recognize the greatness of God in a servant. Jesus came to model that great truth to the world, and many didn’t recognize their Messiah. They still wanted an earthly king rather than the greatness found in the Servant King of all.

Jesus said, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all.” How can we learn to trust those words and then serve our Lord by clawing our way to the bottom? 

If we consider Jesus’ words to his disciples as our high priority, how would that change the way we serve him and others? 

How do his words change the way you value or admire others?

If we learn to think biblically, our priorities will change. When we learn to value what God values, we will change. Jesus taught us to claw our way to the bottom because, in doing that, we will find him. God’s priorities are wisdom. God wanted his children to be servants so he sent his Son as our example. Let’s work hard to claw our way to the bottom and serve God and others as Jesus did. He was the Servant King of all.