The Most Ignored Verse of All

 The Most Ignored Verse of All

“…whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant,
and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave.”
— From Matthew 20

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This may be the most explained away teaching Jesus ever gave.

Not because it’s unclear.
But because it’s unbearable.

You want to lead? Be everyone’s servant.
You want to be first? Become a slave to all.

There it is—no footnote, no asterisk, no cultural loophole.
But how rarely it’s lived. How often it’s softened, spiritualized, or just skipped.

In a culture of platforms, followers, and branding—Jesus says greatness looks like invisible labor.
Not power. Not prestige. Not success. But serving quietly without expecting credit.

And here's the kicker:

If you do it well, no one will notice.
If you do it purely, you’ll never post about it.
You’ll never demand attention for your “servant leadership.” Because to do so would betray the posture itself.

I was reminded of this recently, while visiting the Sharehouse—a local charity that takes in household donations and redistributes them for the good of those in crisis. I recognized a man unloading heavy furniture out back.

It was Father Brendan—from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

No collar. No robes. Just sweat and simplicity.

That’s greatness.

I remember, years ago, touring the Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center in Salt Lake City. They run one of the most efficient, far-reaching disaster relief operations in the world. Quietly. Unpolitically. Rapidly. After seeing it, President Reagan said the LDS Church should be in charge of federal relief.

That’s greatness.

But we all know what actually happens to people who live like this.

They get overlooked.
They get stepped on.
They don’t climb the ladder.

A pastor once told me, years ago:

“You know why people don’t take you seriously? You don’t look successful.”

Even now, that line rings in my ears—discouraging, wounding, unforgettable.

And yet, how close it comes to what Jesus said we should expect.

If you’re trying to follow Christ—and feel like the world isn’t impressed with you—maybe that’s the point.

Maybe being a servant is not the path to being taken seriously.
Maybe it’s the path to becoming like Christ.

And maybe that's enough.