Daily Devotional: Authority that Serves
- David A. Case
- Aug 2
- 3 min read
By David A. Case
“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26, NKJV)
Jesus makes a sharp contrast between worldly authority and kingdom authority. The rulers of the Gentiles lord authority over people. They use position to dominate. They exercise power for selfish purposes. They take advantage of the strength they have. Jesus says, “Yet it shall not be so among you.”
That one sentence should reshape every Christian understanding of authority. Authority in Christ is not a license to get more for myself. It is a call to take greater responsibility for the good of others. The one who wants to be great must become a servant. The one who wants to be first must become a slave. The Son of Man Himself did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.
This is the heart of biblical authority. Strength increases responsibility. The stronger one is not given strength so he can exploit the weak. He is given strength so he can serve, protect, cover, and build up those who need strength.
Our world believes “might makes right.” The kingdom says might increases your responsibility to serve. That changes everything. A parent is not given authority so the child can exist for the parent’s ego. A husband is not given authority so the wife can be minimized. A pastor is not given authority so the church can feed his importance. A leader is not given authority so people can be used to build his platform. Authority exists for love.
This is especially important because those in authority have such a significant place in formation. Children often learn what God seems like from their parents. People in ministry settings often learn whether correction is safe from their leaders. Wives, husbands, employees, volunteers, students, and those in recovery are all shaped by the way authority is carried around them.
If authority is harsh, people often become fearful or rebellious. If authority is passive, people often feel uncovered and unsafe. If authority is selfish, people learn distrust. If authority is godly, people gain space to grow.
Jesus does not remove authority. He redeems it. He shows us what authority is supposed to look like. It is strong, but not selfish. It is clear, but not crushing. It leads, but it also lays down its life. It does not use people. It serves them toward their eternal good.
True authority is influence. Influence grows where trust grows, and trust grows where authority is carried with integrity. If I want to lead like Jesus, I must stop asking, “How can I get people to do what I want?” and start asking, “How can I use what God has given me to serve what He wants to do in them?”
Reflection Question
Where am I tempted to use strength, position, or influence to get what I want instead of serving what God wants?
Prayer
Father, deliver me from worldly ideas of authority. Teach me to lead and influence like Jesus. Help me use strength to serve, not to take. Help me use position to protect, not to dominate. Make me trustworthy with the people You have placed in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Obedience Step for Today
Choose one person within your circle of influence and ask, “What would serving their growth look like this week?” Do one practical thing that helps them become stronger.
This devotional was inspired by the book Heart Change Handbook by David A. Case. If you found it helpful, please consider it for your own self-study and suggest it to your church small group or recovery community as a basis for small group study.
If this message has encouraged you to pursue deeper transformation, I invite you to continue the journey through The Heart Change Handbook. It provides a practical, biblical path for spiritual growth and is an excellent resource for church small groups and recovery communities. Consider getting your copy today and introducing it to your group as a guide toward meaningful heart change.
👉 Learn more about Small Group Resources from Heart Change U.
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