Scripture

“Whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Observation

Jesus tells the disciples that when they get to Jerusalem, He will be betrayed. He will be mocked flogged and crucified, but on the third day, He will be raised from the dead.

The mother of James and John comes to Jesus and asks that her sons be given the places of honour next to His throne. He tells them this right is not His to give.

Jesus tells His disciples that in the world rulers and officials lord it over people, but among them the one who wants to be a leader must be the servant of the others. The Son of Man came not to be served but to give his life as a ransom.

Application

Leadership in the world is about telling others what to do. It is often a power trip, boosting the ego of the leader. While this tends to tyranny and dictatorship in many government systems, in a democracy it can result in the person being perceived as autocratic and removed from real life, ad ultimately they will be voted out.

In the church, all leadership, must be servant leadership. Any hint of self-promotion or pride in a leader must be dealt with. Pastors and others who use their position for their own glory must repent or be fired.

Christian leaders are called to be servant leaders. The way of promotion in the church is to serve sacrificially. To be promoted is to be given more areas in which we die to ourselves.

Our model, as always, should be Jesus who gave His life as a ransom for us.

Prayer

Father, please remove all pride from my heart and equip me to serve others and to serve you. Amen