Servant Leadership

 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

              Both of my grandmothers were amazing cooks. One excelled in baking cakes and desserts and the other in cooking homemade meals and vegetables. The part that always amazed me was that they very rarely used recipes. A little of this and a dash of that. More salt here and more butter there. The food tasted amazing once it was served because of the attention to detail in every step.

              But something happened when my grandmothers both passed away; most of their recipes died with them. I’ve never been able to duplicate any of their recipes, even though I often watched them prepare the dishes and baked desserts. What was the disconnect?

              I think about Jesus on his hands and knees, washing the disciples’ feet. He was their leader, but he was modeling what leadership looked like. Leaders didn’t fight for the best place at the table or long to be the loudest voice in the room; leaders humbled themselves before their followers. Mark 10:45 (ESV) says, For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. And they passed on how others were to become if they wanted to lead well.

              Jesus didn’t come to earth to lead and then take all his knowledge back to heaven with him; he lived in such a way that he taught his followers all he knew. He showed them what it meant to live a good life and what it takes to surrender everything for the call of the kingdom. He taught that we are to love our enemies and do good, even to the ones who hate us. We are to share and give, not keep our blessings to ourselves. Worldly fame and wealth mean nothing in the kingdom of God, instead sacrifice, selflessness, and service.

        When I started teaching, my parents reminded me that everyone is important regardless of their job title. Janitors, cafeteria workers, secretaries and paraprofessionals were just as important as the teachers, reading coaches, and principals. I gained special friends by following their advice.

              Good leaders love well. They serve without question and sacrifice themselves for the good of the people. They are the first to arrive and the last to leave. They take the heat for decisions and protect the well-being of their followers. And they want others to become as they are. John 13:35 (NIV) says, By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

              Servant leaders don’t take the recipes with them, they give it all away so that others will be able to lead well. Jesus paved the way so we can continue in the Way. How are we doing?

Do the Heart Work

1.      Have you ever followed under the leadership of a servant leader? If so, what was it like?

2.      I heard a preacher say, “There’s no competition in the kingdom.” How is this possible?

3.      Have you ever been under a leader who did not delegate and never let anyone help them? How is this different from the way Jesus modeled being a servant leader?

Digging Deeper

Read John 13:3-17 (NIV).

  Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

  “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

One of Jesus’ last acts on earth was washing his disciples’ feet. Feet are nasty and gross. Jesus was their rabbi held in high esteem amongst his followers. Jesus showed the significance of humility and service, regardless of position. Leaders are servants too.

If You Get Spare Time

              If Jesus taught on your hallway or worked in a neighboring classroom, how would he conduct himself? What would his interactions be like? Who would he talk to? Whose feet would he wash?

              If Jesus would do those things, we ought to as well. In what ways can you change your interactions with others this week? Whose feet might you need to wash?