Context of the Verse
Jesus speaks these words in response to a request for positions of honor in His kingdom. His disciples were still thinking in earthly terms of status and power. But Jesus flips their expectations completely, teaching that true greatness comes through servanthood and that He Himself is the ultimate example.
Meaning “Under Grace”
To understand Matthew 20:28 under grace, we must see it through the lens of the New Covenant, where salvation is not earned, but freely given by God through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
1.Grace makes Jesus’ service our salvation.
Jesus, the Son of God, did not come to demand service, but to serve us in the deepest possible way: by laying down His life. Under grace, this act is not something we deserved or could ever repay. It is a gift of divine mercy
2. “To give His life as a ransom for many” = Grace in action.
A ransom is the price paid to set captives free. Jesus gave His life to redeem us from the power of sin and death (Romans 6:23). By grace, this means we are no longer bound by guilt, performance, or fear, but we live in the freedom Christ purchased for us. We are no longer bound by guilt, performance, or fear, but we live in the freedom Christ purchased for us
.
3.Grace redefines power through love.
Under grace, Grace teaches us to do the same, not to earn God’s favor, but because we already have it.
4. Grace calls us to follow Jesus’ example.
We are not saved by serving, but we are saved for serving (Galatians 5:13). Through grace, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live like Jesus—laying down our lives daily in love for others, not out of obligation, but from a heart that’s been transformed.
If we’re honest, most of us would rather be served than serve others. We’d rather feel special than ordinary. We’d rather feel important than insignificant.
And though God has made us special, important, and created in His image, His children cannot be above serving, because Jesus was never above serving.
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:28 NLT
If the King of kings and Lord of lords didn’t come to be served, but to sacrifice His life for the sake and salvation of others, we should pay attention.
Jesus warned against doing impressive things just to be seen, praying extravagant prayers merely to be heard, and taking the highest-ranking positions simply to be known. (See: Matthew 6 and 20.)
Instead, Jesus engaged the outcast, fed the hungry, healed the sick, helped the hurting, stopped for the broken, washed dirty feet, and laid down His life—even though He was innocent—so that even the “worst” of sinners could discover that they are never far from His love.
As you think about what it meant for Jesus to die in your place and erase your mistakes, what does it trigger inside of you? Worship? Gratefulness? Are you compelled to go and tell others? Today, ask God to show you how you can serve others like He has served you.
Under the New Covenant of Grace, Jesus’ greatest act of service—His death—was the ultimate expression of God’s grace. We receive this gift freely, not by merit. We are now free to live not for ourselves, but for others, just as Christ did. Grace doesn’t just save us—it shapes us to become servants like Jesus, full of love, humility, and purpose. Amen.
