Today’s Reading:
Matthew 20:17-28
“...You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to become first must be your slave.” V.25-27
A common misconception among those who want to exercise a leadership role over others is that it comes with glory, power and a position of honour. The world’s incorrect concept of leadership sees a leader as an exceptional person with the authority and power to command. However, the world’s concept is not biblical. Jesus repeatedly used the slave/master metaphor to teach servant-leadership to His disciples. Jesus stated this emphatically “You know that the rulers of the heathen have power over them, and the leaders have complete authority. This, however, is not the way it shall be among you” (Matthew 20: 25-26). Jesus is saying here that the attention of His followers must not be fixed on human titles and distinctions but in God, in Christ, worthy of all reverence, praise and honour.
Worldly people measure greatness by passing achievement. In Christ’s kingdom, however, service is the way to get ahead. Jesus taught His disciples that the greatest person in the kingdom is the servant of all. Christ the greatest leader the world has ever seen said He came not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28). He came as a servant, not a master (Philippians 2: 6-8). Jesus was fully God, He became fully man, and He took upon Himself the nature of man indeed the nature of a servant (2 Corinthians 8:9).
There are many who want to exercise authority but few who want to take the tower basin and wash feet. Paul reminds us that our attitude is to be like Christ in that we consider others better than ourselves and do nothing out of vanity and selfishness. Rather, we look for the interest of others (Philippians 2:3-4). In this sense, every Christian is a servant. Servant leadership is not what one does as much as one is. Character is more important to servant leadership than activity is. There is a need to get rid of pride and be available to serve God through service to fellow human beings. Without a serving heart, it is almost impossible to become a servant leader. Although what the Bible teaches about leadership is strange from the world’s viewpoint. Yet it is the path to happiness and greatness in God’s sight. God’s servant, D.L Moody, has been quoted as saying, “The measure of a man is not how many servants he has, but how many men he serves.”
VICTOR ODEYEMI
Prayer:
Father, endow me with the spirit of humility to serve others, in Jesus name
Father visit the household of faith with divine provision, in Jesus name.
Father, deliver me from the snare of the fowler and every evil disease, in Jesus name
Father let your light shine through your church in Jesus name.
Father, put an end to corruption and injustice in the nation, in Jesus name
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