Servant Leadership: The Ultimate Example

 “ . . . 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 20:26-28

Dear Family & Friends

Often we miss the most important things because we don’t know how to listen. Jesus opened a discussion with His disciples to share His heart and future with them, but they were not really listening. Consequently they missed His point and the ultimate example of servant leadership.

Have you ever been pouring out your heart to someone only to have them change the subject midstream? Worse yet, have they walked away just as you were getting to the crux of your deepest thoughts? Not only is this disappointing for the sharer, it is often a missed opportunity for the supposed listener.

Jesus spent many hours in front of crowds teaching and telling parables that illustrate spiritual truth. The people sat spellbound as the plots of these stories unfolded and with bated breath waited for the climax. But other times Jesus would pull His inner circle away to share deeper thoughts about His life and future. If the disciples had listened closely, they would have expanded their understanding of God’s plan and changed their attitudes and lives. But as we often do, they were too caught up in their own thoughts to really listen.

Jesus Shares About His Future and a Mother’s Request

One day as Jesus prepared to travel to Jerusalem, He took His twelve disciples aside and began to open up about His near future. “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,” He shared, “and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.”

You would think that this heartfelt disclosure would have prompted the disciples to employ active listening. But in the very next paragraph we read that the mother of two of the disciples brought her sons to Jesus to request that they be given places of prominence in His kingdom.

Hadn’t they understood the gravity of the situation? Didn’t they realize what Jesus was saying about the cost of servant leadership? I don’t think so.

Rather than act disgusted or frustrated with the lack of perception, Jesus patiently responded to the request with a question. “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? Showing their ignorance the two replied, “We are able.”

Jesus’ Example of Servant Leadership

When the other disciples heard about the request and ensuing conversation, they were indignant with the brothers. They, also, had not really heard what Jesus was saying or recognized the example He was setting.

So, starting from square one, Jesus again reiterated a most important lesson. While the leaders of this world seek to gain prominence by power and domination, the citizens of God’s Kingdom become great through servant leadership.

Referring back to His original conversation Jesus again shared His values and example, “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.”  

Are You Paying Attention?

This interesting account prompted me to consider my own listening skills. Do I employ active listening when a friend is sharing or do I interrupt with my own thoughts and ideas? More importantly, are my ears open to what God wants me to know?

If we pay attention to the Scriptures and listen carefully for the truth, we will learn how to live. Our understanding will be challenged and our lives changed as we take heed to the greatest example of servant leadership and Savior of the world: Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

Love,

Mama

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