But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Jesus is reponding to the mother of the sons of Zebedee who wanted them to be exalted in heaven. True humility begins with your relationship with God. We were saved for His work (Ephesians 2: 10), begining with washing the feet of others (John 13:12-17), a sign of true humbleness. RC Ryle also notes the error of the request: "But do we never commit the same mistake that the sons of Zebedee committed? Do we never fall into their error, and make thoughtless, inconsiderate requests? Do we not often say things in prayer without "counting the cost," and ask for things to be granted to us, without reflecting how much our supplications involve? These are heart-searching questions. It may well be feared that many of us cannot give them a satisfactory answer." (Expository Thoughts: Matthew). The thought this verse raises is: although we ask that our souls may be saved and go to heaven, when we die; achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, are we prepared to take up the cross, and follow Christ (Matt 10:38; Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23)?