2026.02.15 | When Greatness Looks Like Showing Up Tired

By Sunday afternoon, I was exhausted.

I love our church. I love serving. But sometimes it feels like my life is a rotation of “show up early, stay late, solve the problem, answer the text, take the call, carry the weight.” No one is forcing me to do any of it, and most of the time I’m glad to. Still, there are days when it all feels heavy.

Then we sat with Matthew 20:17-28. James and John, with a little help from their mom, come to Jesus with a request: “Give us the seats at your right and left in your kingdom.” In other words: “We want to be great. We want the important spots.”

What Jesus does next is so kind. He doesn’t shame them for wanting greatness. He redirects their understanding of what greatness actually is.

“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave…”

In the world, greatness is tied to visibility and power.
In the kingdom, greatness is tied to service and sacrifice.
That hits differently when you’re the one quietly cleaning up, stacking chairs, resetting a classroom, or staying late to listen to someone who’s hurting.

What struck me is that Jesus isn’t recruiting free labor when he says this. He’s revealing his heart. He goes on: “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

He’s not asking us to do anything he hasn’t already done in a deeper way. The One who actually deserves the best seat chose instead to kneel, wash feet, carry a cross, and die in the place of sinners.

That means the hidden work matters.

• The person who rocks a crying baby in the nursery so a tired mom can sit in the service.
• The one who shows up early to run cables, test sound, and make sure the livestream works.
• The small group leader who prepares, prays, and then simply listens while others share.
• The prayer team member who stands quietly at the front and holds people’s burdens before God.
• The friend who brings a meal, sends a text, or stops to really listen in the lobby.

None of that looks “great” in the world’s eyes. But in the kingdom, that is greatness. It is Christlikeness. It is Jesus, living his life through his people.

So to all the volunteers and servants at Hope Community: thank you.

Thank you for being the “floor” others stand on, steady, strong, often unnoticed, but absolutely essential. Thank you for letting your strength be used to hold others up instead of draw attention to yourself. Even when you’re tired. Even when no one sees. Your Father sees. And he calls that great.

And for those who feel worn out or discouraged: this is not about earning God’s approval. Jesus has already given his life as a ransom for you. Your identity and worth are not based on how much you serve, how well you do it, or how “together” you feel. Service in the kingdom is a response to grace, not a way to get it.

You’re allowed to be tired. You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to say no at times. The invitation of Jesus is not, “Do more so I’ll love you,” but, “I have loved you at the cost of my own life, now walk with me, and let my love overflow through you.”

Reflect & Respond

• Where are you currently serving in ways that feel hidden or tiring? How might Jesus be gently affirming the value of that service today?
• Is there a place where you’ve tied your worth too tightly to what you do for God, rather than what Jesus has already done for you?

If you’d like to go deeper into this passage and hear the full message, you can watch the sermon from Matthew 20:17–28 on our YouTube channel.