Young People's Group

“THE SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED BUT TO SERVE”

by Pastor Mitch
July 31, 2011

The Lord’s Rejection Of A Worldly Perspective Of Leadership

What is greatness? During the times of Jesus, the secular approach concerning greatness was to exercise authority over others. This worldly view of leadership was so prevalent that the disciples were not free from having such a perspective.

“You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you” 
Mark 10:42-43

They too were affected by how the world saw greatness. Those in high positions would exercise lordship over others. They would wield tremendous power over others. The Lord Jesus rejected outrightly such an approach to spiritual leadership

The Lord Jesus’ Perspective Of Servant Leadership

“But whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.” 
Mark 10:43-44

Our Lord taught His disciples that true greatness is found in servant leadership. Those who desire to be great must learn to be a servant. The idea of a servant is one who is like a waiter. He learns to humbly wait on customers and he serves the master’s wishes. He must learn to serve others. Greatness is seen when a person sees himself as only a servant. Furthermore, the Lord Jesus explained that if a person desires to be first among the disciples, then he must humble himself even more by learning to be a slave. A slave or a bondservant during the times of Jesus had no will of his own. He was absolutely in subservience to his master. As a disciple, he is to give Himself totally to the Lord’s will and to do His bidding. When he does this, he would be considered as first among the disciples. Such is the nature of servant leadership. The greater the honor sought, the greater must be our humility in the role we undertake. Our challenge is to practise such servant leadership.

The Lord Jesus’ Example Of Servant Leadership

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” 
Mark 10:45

Ultimately, the perfect example of servant leadership is the Lord Jesus Himself. Even though He is the Son of God, endued with all power and glory, yet He saw Himself as only “Son of Man”. One aspect of this title speaks of the humility of Christ. He was not afraid to totally identify with us by taking on flesh. Furthermore, He came to this earth not with the intention of being served by others, even though he fully deserved to be so. He chose to lead by example in being a servant leader. He came to humbly serve mankind rather than to be served by them. The Lord Jesus was most conscious of why He was specially sent to this world. He came to this world to serve mankind and to give His life as a ransom for many. The Lord Jesus gave His life for our sins. Truly, the Lord Jesus sets for us a great example of what servant leadership is. Let’s follow His example in seeking to serve others rather than to be served.

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