“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” – Mark 9:35
Earlier this year, in its program on negotiation, Harvard Law School included discussions on servant leadership, calling it a “novel” theory. They said it was an “aspirational but somewhat understudied model of leadership rooted in lofty goals.” In 1958, author Robert K. Greenleaf formed the Center for Servant Leadership, initially known as the Center for Applied Ethics. He said, “While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the ‘top of the pyramid,‘ servant leadership is different. The servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first, and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible.”
Servant leadership is nothing new! Moses demonstrated it by his obedience in leading God’s people. Joshua was a servant leader who equipped the next generation and set a strong example. Esther, though a queen, was a servant to Mordecai, her adopted father, in working for her captive people. Paul called himself a servant of Jesus Christ, and Peter identified himself as a “fellow elder” within the church. Of course, Jesus declared Himself to be a servant, giving His life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). He exemplified the humility that is required of a servant leader.
Theologian Dr. Bob Utley said of Jesus words in today’s verse, “This is a first class conditional sentence, which is assumed to be true. … Jesus did not condemn ambition, but defined it in terms of the new ethics of the Kingdom of God. Greatness is linked to service, not to power. God’s Kingdom is different from human societies.” Although touted by some like Greenleaf, servant leadership is counter-cultural. Those with power do not like to share it. Those who demand respect seldom give it. The follower of Christ is called to be different—to treat others as they would like to be treated, to use their authority for the benefit of others, to build one another up, and to not think more highly of oneself than he ought. In leadership, as in all aspects of life, “He has told you, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). Pray for officials in government to lead with the heart of a humble servant.
Today’s Verse: Mark 9:35
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: John 13:1-17
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”
7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”
8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”
9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.”
11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
