Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John. 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."
The other disciples were upset that James and John had
the guts to ask for the top leadership positions in the coming kingdom. Some were upset at their forwardness, but
surely others were upset because they didn’t think of it first.
Jesus, hearing this upset at James and John, determined that it was time to hold a seminar on leadership. Jesus first describes the way that Gentiles lead. Gentiles, Jesus said, rule with their own benefit in mind. They control others for their own honor, so that everyone will know that they are great.
Leadership in God’s kingdom, however, will be the opposite of this. The great will be a “server”. The most important among the leadership will be a “slave”. This seems to work on a number of levels. First of all the terms used—“server” (deacon in Greek) and “slave” are used in the New Testament as titles. “Deacons” are those who help the poor and do administrative work in a congregation (Romans 16:1; Acts 6:2-3; I Timothy 3:8). The most important leaders of the church are called “slaves of Christ” (Romans 1:1; II Peter 1:1). These titles of “slave” and “servant” keep one humble in the midst of lofty titles, such as “Most Reverend” or “Excellent”, as the Latin tradition is. But these titles also indicate something about the kind of work they do. They are not to act for their own benefit, but they are to act for the benefit of others—serving, leading for the sake of other’s needs.
And also, these are not to be lofty positions, but those in these positions should remain humble. This does not mean just a lack of pride, but taking on tasks and suffering rebuke and persecution that would befit only the lowest of society. As the best example of this, Jesus presents himself. He spoke of his own persecution and death three times now. He was heading to Jerusalem, not to take on a position of glory, but to experience the most humbling death on earth—crucifixion. And he was not going to Jerusalem so that he would be benefited. Rather, he was going for the benefit of many. Specifically, he was allowing himself to be a ransom—a price paid to free someone from slavery. Jesus knew that his death would open up the way to begin God’s kingdom, which would offer everyone a way to be reconciled with God and to fulfill God’s promises on earth. Jesus was ready to suffer humiliation for the sake of all. And this is the kind of leadership he was expecting from the disciples.
Jesus, hearing this upset at James and John, determined that it was time to hold a seminar on leadership. Jesus first describes the way that Gentiles lead. Gentiles, Jesus said, rule with their own benefit in mind. They control others for their own honor, so that everyone will know that they are great.
Leadership in God’s kingdom, however, will be the opposite of this. The great will be a “server”. The most important among the leadership will be a “slave”. This seems to work on a number of levels. First of all the terms used—“server” (deacon in Greek) and “slave” are used in the New Testament as titles. “Deacons” are those who help the poor and do administrative work in a congregation (Romans 16:1; Acts 6:2-3; I Timothy 3:8). The most important leaders of the church are called “slaves of Christ” (Romans 1:1; II Peter 1:1). These titles of “slave” and “servant” keep one humble in the midst of lofty titles, such as “Most Reverend” or “Excellent”, as the Latin tradition is. But these titles also indicate something about the kind of work they do. They are not to act for their own benefit, but they are to act for the benefit of others—serving, leading for the sake of other’s needs.
And also, these are not to be lofty positions, but those in these positions should remain humble. This does not mean just a lack of pride, but taking on tasks and suffering rebuke and persecution that would befit only the lowest of society. As the best example of this, Jesus presents himself. He spoke of his own persecution and death three times now. He was heading to Jerusalem, not to take on a position of glory, but to experience the most humbling death on earth—crucifixion. And he was not going to Jerusalem so that he would be benefited. Rather, he was going for the benefit of many. Specifically, he was allowing himself to be a ransom—a price paid to free someone from slavery. Jesus knew that his death would open up the way to begin God’s kingdom, which would offer everyone a way to be reconciled with God and to fulfill God’s promises on earth. Jesus was ready to suffer humiliation for the sake of all. And this is the kind of leadership he was expecting from the disciples.
Leadership in the church is a tempting proposition. It isn't like the first century, when leadership in the church was very likely to be a death sentence. We look at popular church leaders and see their fame, their charisma, their educated air, the respect they obtain, the influence they wield and (sometimes) their professional status and salary. They obtain everything good the world has to offer.
Yet it seems that Jesus has no respect for these kinds of leaders at all. The respected, comfortable leader isn't really the Jesus-leader that Jesus wants from his followers. The real leader is the slave of love. They are the ones who will surrender their salary so another can eat. They are the ones who will stand with the hated of society, and so be tarred with their brush. They are the ones who are always looking for the benefit of others and so often their needs remain unmet. They refuse the lofty titles of "Father" or "Reverend", never taking away the glory of God.
The most honored leaders in Jesus' kingdom does dishes and cleans up vomit. They wash clothes and move the possessions of the needy. And if someone else needs glory more than they, they will let them have it. The only glory they need is the appreciation of God. These leaders are few and far between, but if you look for them you can find them. There may be good speakers and good teachers, but these are the leaders we should follow.
"The slave of love goes to bed each night as if he had been beaten."
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