The Greatest In The Kingdom of God
By Pastor Joel – Open Heaven Christian Church – Fisher, Arkansas
The Gospel of Luke 22:25 (KJV) says:
“And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.”
This verse sits in a very specific moment: the disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest among them (Luke 22:24). Jesus Christ responds by redefining what greatness actually means in the Kingdom of God. Lets take a close look at this verse that Jesus taught the disciples as they sat at the Lord’s table just before his crucifixion.
1. “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them”
“Gentiles” refers to non-Jewish rulers—essentially the political systems surrounding Israel, like the Roman Empire.
“Exercise lordship” means dominate, control, and rule over people with power and authority.
These kings governed through hierarchy: top to down authority, often enforced by force, status, or fear.
Key idea:
Jesus is pointing out a worldly model of leadership—one built on control, status, and visible power.
2. “They that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors”
This is a sharp and almost ironic statement.
“Exercise authority” = those who hold power and influence over them.
“Benefactors” = literally “do-gooders” or “patrons”—people seen as generous providers.
In ancient culture, rulers often gave gifts, funded buildings, or provided grain—and in return, they were honored as “benefactors and looked up to by those who benefited by what they did.”
But here’s the deeper implication:
Jesus is exposing a contradiction:
These rulers claim to help people
Yet they still control and dominate them
So the title “benefactor” can be self-serving—a way to appear righteous while maintaining power.
3. The Contrast Jesus Is Building
This verse is not just descriptive—it sets up a contrast with what Jesus says next in (Luke 22:26):
“But ye shall not be so…”
Jesus is drawing a line between:
Worldly leadership → power, control, recognition
Kingdom leadership → humility, service, self-sacrifice
4. Spiritual Meaning
At a deeper level, this verse challenges how people think about:
Authority
Recognition
Influence
In the world:
Greatness = being means you are served
Authority = means control over others
In God’s Kingdom:
Greatness = serving others
Authority = responsibility, not domination or control
This is consistent with other teachings of Jesus, like:
“He that is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11)
5. Practical Application
This verse speaks directly to:
Church leadership
Ministry roles
Believers Personal conduct with others
It warns against:
Using position for control
Seeking titles or recognition (“benefactor” mentality)
Leading in a way that mimics worldly systems
Instead, it calls for:
Servant leadership
Humility
Genuine care for others without needing credit or recognition
6. A Subtle Warning
Jesus is also addressing something deeper in the disciples:
Their desire for status
Their comparison with one another
He redirects them away from ambition and toward Christ-like character.
Model of Greatness
Luke 22:25 exposes a false model of greatness:
Power that looks good outwardly (“benefactor”)
But operates through control and self-interest
Jesus uses it to prepare His followers for a radically different way of living:
Lead by serving
Give without controlling
Be great by becoming low
In (Luke 22:26-27 KJV) the Lord continues to break down fully what defines true greatness and what it looks like in contrast to verse 25.
📖 Luke 22:26-27 (KJV)
22:26 “But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”
22:27 “For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.”
1. “But ye shall not be so”
This is a direct rejection of the model from verse 25.
Jesus Christ is not suggesting improvement to worldly leadership—He is forbidding it among His followers.
Not “try to be different”
But “you must not operate this way at all”
This establishes a kingdom principle, not a suggestion.
2. “He that is greatest… let him be as the younger”
In that culture:
The younger had less status, less authority, and less voice
The older were honored, deferred to, and elevated
So Jesus is saying:
If you want to be “great,” take the lower position
Choose the place with less recognition, not more
This is a reversal of instinct:
The world says: rise above others
Jesus says: lower yourself among others
3. “He that is chief, as he that doth serve”
“Chief” = leader, ruler, one in authority
“Serve” = to attend to others’ needs (like a servant waiting tables)
So the equation becomes:
Leadership ≠ control
Leadership = service
Not symbolic service—but real, active, often unseen service
4. Verse 27 — The Illustration
Jesus now uses a familiar social image:
“Who is greater—the one sitting at the table, or the one serving?”
In any normal setting:
The one sitting (being served) is considered greater
He acknowledges that reality:
“Is not he that sitteth at meat?” (Yes, by worldly standards)
5. The Shocking Statement
“But I am among you as he that serveth.”
This is where everything shifts.
Jesus Christ—their Master, their Lord—places Himself in the role of:
The servant
The one attending to others
The one meeting needs
This is not theoretical. It’s demonstrated in His life:
Washing the disciples’ feet (John 13)
Healing, feeding, teaching
Ultimately giving His life
6. The Core Principle
Jesus doesn’t just teach servant leadership—He embodies it.
True greatness in the Kingdom of God is:
Measured by how you serve, not how you are served
Revealed in humility, not position
Proven through action, not titles
7. Structural Contrast (A Clear Comparison)
Worldly System (v.25) | Kingdom System (v.26–27) |
|---|---|
Power over people | Service to people |
Titles (“benefactors”) | Humility without recognition |
Status and rank | Lowering oneself |
Being served | Serving others |
8. Spiritual Depth
This teaching strikes at:
Pride
Ambition
The desire to be seen as important
It replaces them with:
Humility
Self-denial
Love expressed through service
This aligns with the broader teaching seen in (Philippians 2:5-7 KJV):
Christ “made himself of no reputation… and took upon him the form of a servant.”
9. Practical Implications
This applies directly to:
Ministry leaders
Church environments where believers gather
Personal relationships
It challenges questions like:
Do I serve only when seen?
Do I seek influence or impact?
Do I value position more than people?
Real obedience to this passage means:
Serving without needing recognition
Leading by example, not control
Choosing humility even when you have authority
Bottom Line
Jesus redefines greatness with precision:
The greatest person in God’s Kingdom is the one who willingly takes the lowest place to serve others.
And He removes all excuses by saying:
“I am among you as one who serves.”
The Lord views the greatest by what is recorded in (Mark 10:44 KJV):
“And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.”
Jesus is our example when it comes to greatness, and his Holy Spirit guides us, not by force but by course:
(Mark 10:45 KJV) “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
