[Anglican Devotional 24 August 2023] Topic: Servanthood In Leadership
TOPIC: Servanthood In Leadership
READ: LUKE 22:24-30 (NKJV)
Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’
“But not so [among] you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.
“For who [is] greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? [Is] it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.
“But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.
“And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed [one] upon Me,
“that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
THE MESSAGE:
In John 13:3-17 Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and demonstrated servant-hood in leadership. The disciples included Bartholomew who we commemorate today. Jesus had said to them during the Passover that he would not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes (verse 18). But the disciples had an earthly understanding of the kingdom such that the matter of who would be the leader became a serious argument among them (verse 24) and it was the actions of the sons of Zebedee that caused the argument in Matthew 20:20-24 and Mark 10:35-41. They took the matter to Jesus to determine who would take over from Him in leadership, probably for the sake of recognition or public honour. But Jesus who is all-knowing never told them what they wanted to hear what they already knew… the kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactor’ (verse 25). He said to them in verse 26 that they would not be like the rulers of the world who oppress those under them, meaning that leadership by authority seen in the world must not be brought into God’s community. So, whoever wants to lead among them must first be a servant just like him (verse 27).
Dearly beloved, to be ambitious with the right motive is good while being over-ambitious for self-glorification kills. Leadership as taught by Jesus should not be a do-or-die affair because leadership comes with responsibilities (verses 26 & 27). If you aspire for a position or are appointed to act in a certain capacity must understand what is expected of you in that office so that you will not be like the disciples who were appointed by Jesus, but later lost focus and began to argue over supremacy. Always know that, the reason you are occupying that position is to represent God not self.
PRAYER: Lord help me not to run after power and position at the expense of my calling through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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