Tags
Heaven, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Kingdom, Kingdom of God, Love, Matthew 20, Matthew 23, Servant, Slave
Radical Jesus
Jesus isn’t enamored with my being a leader who serves. Jesus calls on me to be a servant or a slave. Jesus thinks it is not right for me to be called a leader. Being a servant is enough.
Jesus isn’t running a business and Jesus doesn’t want leaders or servant leaders. My role is to obey God’s commandments and love. That is enough!
This came right after James and John had just asked Jesus to place them at His side when He assumed His throne in the kingdom to come. The other disciples became indignant at the arrogance of their request.
“But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, the Messiah. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. | Matthew 23:8-12
I am to be a servant. I am to be a slave. Jesus is clear I am not to be called a leader. There is only one leader and that is Jesus.
Here is more along the same line of thinking from Jesus. This time He goes further and says I am to be a slave.
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 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 your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” | Matthew 20:25-28
Jesus doesn’t talk about “servant leadership”. Jesus directs me to be a servant and a slave. That is it. I am not to be a leader who serves.
Jesus Quotes and God Thoughts 
Michael, I get what you’re saying here. Assuming the title of “leader” among the brethren can puff up and set people apart. We are prone to put people on pedestals.
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Tom, exactly. Well said.
Blessings, grace and peace!
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The Christian pop culture MBA version of the “servant leader” is based on Matthew 20:26 (whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant). It is a valid notion for organizational, earthly leaders to consider. But Jesus himself tells Pilate that he “has not authority except that which was given from above.” The general notion of the “servant leader” is certainly in line with the “2nd Greatest Commandment” to love others. Serving others serves God. However, unless we live in the knowledge that we are ALL servants of Jesus as our Master, our “leadership,” whether servant or otherwise, will be empty. In all we do, we point to the cross. Spot on, Michael. Thanks for the continuing discussion of what it means to serve Jesus.
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Very well said. Thanks.
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