Jesus Is Servant King: How His Humility and Authority Shape Our Lives

Have you ever been on the run?

I remember playing tag and manhunt on the streets of Brooklyn. That terrifying moment when someone’s hand is just about to tag you and you run with everything in you — that was me. But you know what I thank God for? That I never outran Him.

Sometimes, we’re not just running on the playground — we’re running from God Himself. And often, it’s not even the real God we’re running from, but our own distorted imagination of who we think He is.

That’s why it’s so important to look closely at Scripture, to see who Jesus really is. This summer we’ve been in a series called “Jesus Is…” — and we’ve looked at Jesus as Savior, Jesus as God, and Jesus as Man. Today, we come to something both beautiful and challenging: Jesus is Servant and King.

When we think about greatness, our minds go to thrones, crowns, and power. But Jesus flips the script. His greatness is displayed in servanthood.

Mark 10 tells us about James and John, who came to Jesus boldly:

“Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” (Mark 10:35)

That’s a gutsy request! Imagine telling God: “Say yes before I even ask.” But here’s what I love — maybe they felt free to ask because Jesus was so approachable. Kids ran to Him. Lepers touched Him. Outcasts dined with Him. He never turned people away.

But when James and John asked for seats of honor, Jesus reminded them:

“Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43–45)

In Jesus’ kingdom, leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about towels. Greatness isn’t about climbing higher — it’s about stooping lower.

Think about His first coming. He was born in a manger — not a palace. When He entered Jerusalem, He rode not a war horse, but a donkey (Matthew 21:5). Everything about His entrance shouted humility.

Philippians reminds us:

“He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8)

His humility wasn’t weakness — it was strength restrained.

In Luke 4, Jesus read from Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives…” (Luke 4:18)

Notice who He came for:

• The poor
• The brokenhearted
• The captive
• The blind
• The outcast

If you think you’ve got life all figured out, Jesus didn’t come for you. He came for the lost, the hurting, the ones humble enough to admit they need Him.

Think about Zacchaeus (Luke 19). Short man, despised tax collector, climbs a tree just to see Jesus. And Jesus stops everything for him:

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

He came for sinners like the woman who washed His feet with her tears (Luke 7). For the adulterous woman dragged into the street (John 8). For the sick and the lepers society cast out (Mark 1:40–45).

This is His purpose: to serve, to heal, to restore, and to save.

Now, don’t mistake His humility for lack of authority. Yes, Jesus came as a servant. But He is also the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Philippians declares:
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Philippians 2:10–11)

Willingly or unwillingly, every person will acknowledge Him as King.

The first time He came, He rode a donkey. The second time? Revelation 19 tells us:

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True… His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns.” (Revelation 19:11–12)

No longer the suffering servant — but the conquering King. The armies of heaven follow Him. His robe drips with blood. His presence radiates glory and judgment.

Matthew 25 paints the picture:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory… He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:31–32)

Jesus is returning to bring justice, to defeat evil, and to welcome His people into an eternal kingdom. Revelation 19 shows Him overthrowing the beast and the false prophet, casting them into the lake of fire. He comes not only to save but also to judge.

Titus 2:13 calls it our “blessed hope”:
“…looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

This is our legacy — living humbly now, but eagerly awaiting His return. Like kids waiting for their parents to come home, we don’t know the hour, so we stay ready.

So, what does this mean for us?

1. Live as a servant. If Jesus, the King of the universe, washed feet, then no act of service is beneath us. Serve in your home, at church, in your community.
2. Walk in humility. Don’t chase the seats of honor. Chase opportunities to love, give, and lift others up.
3. Hold both pictures of Jesus. He is the Servant who stoops to heal and forgive, but also the King who reigns with authority. Keep both in view — grace and truth, love and justice.
4. Stay ready. He’s coming back. Don’t wait until the last moment to “clean house.” Live in a way that shows you’re expecting Him today.

Jesus is both Servant and King. His humility invites us close, His authority commands our loyalty.

Let’s pray:

Lord, thank You for showing us both sides of who You are. Thank You for coming as the humble Servant who loved the broken, healed the sick, and sought the lost. But also thank You that You are the reigning King who will one day set all things right. Help us live with humility and readiness, serving others while eagerly awaiting Your return. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Because His mission was to give His life as a ransom for sinners (Mark 10:45).

The poor, brokenhearted, sick, lost, and sinners (Luke 4:18; Luke 19:10).

He is already reigning (Matthew 28:18), but His kingdom will be fully revealed at His return (Revelation 19).

By serving others humbly, obeying His Word, and keeping your eyes on His promised return.