A dispute also arose among [the disciples] as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But [Jesus] said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

“You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:24-30)

The needs of others outweigh the needs of yourself. Not because you’re unworthy, but because you’re the most important. You can care for others, not because you despise yourself but because you love them and think they’re great, too.

Jesus asked his disciples who was more important, the one sitting and eating, or the one serving the food: that is, was the most important person the servant or his master? The obvious answer was the master. But rather than acting important, rather than sitting at the table, Jesus instead chose the role of a servant. So who was the greatest, then? Jesus, the servant.

According to Jesus, serving one another was a matter of choice, rather than force. He thought his disciples should choose to serve each another just as Jesus chose to serve them. And just as no one was to think of himself as the master, so no one could make someone else serve.

Nevertheless, his disciples would be among those sitting and eating at Jesus’ table. They would have the same role as Jesus in the kingdom: they would even judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus was still sitting at his table, he was the great one, he was still the master, regardless of what he was doing or whom he was serving. Serving another person does not lower you or change who you are. It does not change your actual status; it elevates the status of others. It means, simply, that you love others. Whom you choose to love elevates them.

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