The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
The paradox of the higher serving the lower enshrines a great truth, for the spirit of service is the mark of worthy selfhood. It bespeaks an awareness of the needs of others and the desire to meet those needs. This gives a personality essential dignity. If it is ever right to put others under our power, we may only do so by responding to the promptings to serve them. Those who are great enough to serve others for their highest good are to be revered as their superiors. This makes the submissive service of our Lord Jesus Christ not paradoxical, but perfectly logical.
William Still