Monday: Servant Leadership
During His ministry with His disciples, Jesus repeatedly experienced moments when He probably felt exasperated by the envy for power they seemed to have. The apostles appeared to be anxious to become powerful leaders of Jesus’ kingdom (Mark 9:33-34; Luke 9:46). Even as the disciples were eating the Last Supper together, these feelings of domination and supremacy were palpably felt among them (Luke 22:24).
During one such occasion, Jesus clearly expressed His thoughts regarding spiritual leadership among His people. What principles of leadership do we learn from Jesus’ exhortation in Matthew 20:25-28? How can we manifest this principle in our lives and especially in our churches?
Image © Yongsung Kim Goodsalt.com
“In this concise passage Jesus presents us with two models of authority. The first is the Roman idea of authority. In this model, the elite stand hierarchically over others. They have the power to make decisions and expect submission from those below them. Jesus clearly rejected this model of authority when He stated, ‘Not so with you!’ Instead He presented the disciples with a breathtakingly new model of authority, a thorough rejection, or reversal, of the hierarchical model with which they were familiar.” – Darius Jankiewicz, “Serving Like Jesus: Authority in God’s Church”, Adventist Review, March 13, 2014, p. 18.
The concept of authority that Jesus presents in this story is based on two key words: servant (diakonos) and slave (doulos). In some translations the first word, servant, is often translated “minister”, and the second, “servant” or “bondservant.” Both words thus lose much of the force of Jesus’ intent. Although Jesus did not wish to abolish all authority structures, what He wished to emphasize is that church leaders must first of all be servants and slaves of God’s people. Their positions are not to exercise authority over people or to dominate them or to give themselves prestige and reputation. “Christ was establishing a kingdom on different principles. He called men, not to authority, but to service, the strong to bear the infirmities of the weak. Power, position, talent, education, placed their possessor under the greater obligation to serve his fellows.” – Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 550.
| Read John 13:1-20. What example of leadership did Jesus give His disciples? What is Jesus still trying to teach us in this passage? How can we manifest the principle here in all our actions with others, in and out of the church? |
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I remember in my early years as a teacher, I arrived at school early one morning to do some preparation for class. This was in the days before photocopiers and we had to use spirit duplicators for printing out class materials (If you have every used on of those, I know how old you are), so an early start was necessary. I found I was not alone; the school principal was there in overalls painting the skirting boards in the corridors. That was typical of him. If there was a job to be cone around the school, he would always pitch in and help.
My school principal typified the servant-leader model and it was no surprise that he staff would usually listen to him when it came to administrative decisions. It is hard to argue against a person who is willing to work beside you on mundane tasks.
The servant-leadership model is played out in the Gospels; most notably at the celebration of the last supper. The disciples had taken the idea of “the Kingdom” to heart and were squabbling among themselves as to who would be the greatest. Jesus quietly started washing their feet – a servant’s task, demonstrating where leadership begins.
Servant leadership isn’t a strategy to get people to follow you or a good habit to develop over time. Not so with you. Servant leadership is a biblical mandate....Simply that is what is required from us to Jesus!
Jesus showed true leadership, He inspired people to follow Him by revealing His caring character and His Principles of Life.
Jesus set the example. It is the same with our pastors. The church follows its leaders. A leader sets the pace at work. A leader that inspires service is a leader that gets the most out of its team! If we have Jesus example set in our leaders, ultimately every member will be impacted. Of course that human leaders cannot replace Jesus most precious example! But as leaders in our churches, communities and homes, we must reflect Jesus in order to preach Him. With all the defects that we may still have, the focus to follow what Jesus has left for us is essential. Through the work we become perfected! And all the glory must be turned to Him who give us life to do anything!
This lesson is an area of difficulty today,much as it was among the disciples. Many claim Christ's authority in service but wield His power like a Roman. We need this reminder that there are two models of authority. The first is the Roman idea of authority and the other Jesus' servant leadership model. Mixing the models pervert the message and undermine the truth. Lord help us to chose this day who we shall serve and may we represent You, Your name and Your character rightly.
Apparently, it was at least two days before the celebration of the Passover feast (when Jesus compares His body and blood to the bread and wine) that He washes the Apostles feet and that Judas goes off to betray Him. So then, why do we as a Church Body celebrate these two events at the same time? I think that we lose a lot of what Jesus meant by the two separate events when we multi-task these two events at the same time.
Pete, according to John 13 to 18 it was the same night
Jesus' lesson of humility in washing His disciples' feet should be taken seriously. As Christians we usually fail to demonstrate humility even to those we claim to love the most. Our failure to live as Christians is one of the main reasons why most of our relatives and friends are still not converted. One point that we can get from this lesson is that we were called to become true leaders in the fashion of Christ through acts of humility that demonstrate Christ's love.
This only can enable us to lead others to Christ. The world is tired of our actions that are usually in conflict with our sermons. It is high time we make Christ's works ours and stop deceiving ourselves. Christ still wants to minister to the needy in the person of His followers.
"By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer. No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life. The strongest argument in favor of the
gospel is a loving and lovable Christian." H.D.L. 8.1
Ever wondered, why we have no problem being called "Elder!", but being called "Deacon!" is a whole new ball-game, 😂😂😂.
For many "Deacon" - Deakonia - means "Serving tables", then immediately our ego's set in and you'd rather be called by name. Ask ourselves, how many times do we hear "Deacon Stan!" but will hear "Elder so and so". Stan would rather be called "Teacher", "Superintendent" or "Master" but not Deacon. Food for thought then! ... and a thought-provoking jest my friends
*Servant leadership* should invoke pride amongst us, as we are in service for the people of God; for God: And what better place would one be than this. However, we tend to yearn authority that comes on sitting at the top, whereas we have been awarded with authority of service to God. Paul loved his "bondservant title" and prided it. It became and still is an equaliser, that reaches the meek till this day. Ask yourselves, how many times have you quoted words from the "bondservant Paul".
Think of this!
Brother Pete, let me say this....Now we have holy communion different than the one before the death of Jesus and we've not lost its meaning. Its just like the way Jesus did.
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” “What is your request?” he asked. They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” Mark 10:35-38 NLT
James and John clearly misunderstood Jesus' mission, when they asked for honor, instead of the courage to suffer with Him.
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.” Mark 10:45 NLT
Fact is Jesus never celebrated His own birthday. In the Bible only pagan kings celebrated their birthdays. Jesus never had a graduation celebration either. The church never ordained Him. But they did crucify Him. Jesus helped others celebrate their weddings, but He never got to celebrate His own wedding. As a matter of fact, all Jesus ever did, was serve others, and then die for them. That's it. That was His life.
Today's Church leaders should imitate exactly what Jesus did since we are following his footsteps.
That is good advice Godfrey, and we need to ensure we do the same, because ultimately we are the ones who choose the Church leaders.