To lead is to serve. On the surface, such a statement sounds like an oxymoron. Conventional wisdom states that leaders take charge; servants are at the end of the line, performing menial tasks. So, choose which it will be, because it appears impossible to be both. And yet a phrase subject to ridicule because of abuse of position captures the ideal - "public servants", referring to elected government officials.
A current Sunday School class focused on Elders and Deacons unswervingly centers on this concept of leading through serving. Perhaps no passage clarifies this radical concept better than this one from Mark ten:
"Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, 'You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.'" (Mark 10:42-45)
This lofty concept of leading through serving was no idealized philosophy spouted by the CEO of the Kingdom of God while seated in His plush Oval Office. No, these were the words of the ultimate public servant, with basin and towel in hand -lowly serving His disciples at the Last Supper through the most menial task. This was the One aptly described in these memorable words: "although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:6-7).
If the highest and most exalted of God's creation could abase Himself through humble service, how much more should we His followers? Sure, there is the danger of being a doormat, but there are lessons here from the Savior as well, who chose service on His terms. But, the key fact is, He chose. And we do well to do the same.
Another English translation adds special emphasis to Jesus' words from Mark ten: "But it must not be like that among you." (Mark 10:43). In contrast to the heavy-handed lording-over system of the world, Jesus states that such tactics are to find no place among His followers. As such, His church is to be characterized by deliberate service to others rather than calculated ladder-climbing leadership. Sadly, church history indicates Jesus' words have largely been ignored.
The world will little note eloquent elaboration of Jesus' lofty ideals, but it will sit up and notice those ideals in practice. A community of believers characterized by humble service, genuine consideration of others, and unqualified acceptance, will be too compelling for the world to ignore. And such a community will gain a hearing for the radical, life-changing good news of the kingdom of God and life in it through Jesus.
May we deliberately choose the life of a servant, and gain the opportunity to effectively declare the life-changing good news of a coming kingdom whose reality is exhibited through a community of servants.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
A current Sunday School class focused on Elders and Deacons unswervingly centers on this concept of leading through serving. Perhaps no passage clarifies this radical concept better than this one from Mark ten:
"Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, 'You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.'" (Mark 10:42-45)
This lofty concept of leading through serving was no idealized philosophy spouted by the CEO of the Kingdom of God while seated in His plush Oval Office. No, these were the words of the ultimate public servant, with basin and towel in hand -lowly serving His disciples at the Last Supper through the most menial task. This was the One aptly described in these memorable words: "although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:6-7).
If the highest and most exalted of God's creation could abase Himself through humble service, how much more should we His followers? Sure, there is the danger of being a doormat, but there are lessons here from the Savior as well, who chose service on His terms. But, the key fact is, He chose. And we do well to do the same.
Another English translation adds special emphasis to Jesus' words from Mark ten: "But it must not be like that among you." (Mark 10:43). In contrast to the heavy-handed lording-over system of the world, Jesus states that such tactics are to find no place among His followers. As such, His church is to be characterized by deliberate service to others rather than calculated ladder-climbing leadership. Sadly, church history indicates Jesus' words have largely been ignored.
The world will little note eloquent elaboration of Jesus' lofty ideals, but it will sit up and notice those ideals in practice. A community of believers characterized by humble service, genuine consideration of others, and unqualified acceptance, will be too compelling for the world to ignore. And such a community will gain a hearing for the radical, life-changing good news of the kingdom of God and life in it through Jesus.
May we deliberately choose the life of a servant, and gain the opportunity to effectively declare the life-changing good news of a coming kingdom whose reality is exhibited through a community of servants.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 9:10 AM
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