Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Job 18-19
     New Testament Reading: Mark 10

Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45).

The man was walking on ahead, leading the way. He was a pilgrim, and this journey had begun along the shores of the dead sea. There at 1,300 feet below sea level, He gazed up from the lowest point on the face of the earth to His destination: the top of Mount Zion, the mountain of God. Slowly, He began making His way uphill through the dry and dusty land where few plants could survive the desert heat. Often the path is narrow as it winds its way through the rocks bleached white from the desert sun.

As He walked steadily uphill, He lifted His eyes. He was going to Jerusalem, to Calvary. The disciples followed behind him as He led the way. He chose the path. Leading in prayer. Knowing where the road was heading. He was a leader. He was THE leader. And He still is today!

What a grand image of church leadership. Jesus, the lone man, is out in front leading His church. And the disciples, a plurality of leaders, following behind working together in harmony using their gift and abilities to serve God following the leading of their Lord.

But the scene abruptly changes!

Two of the disciples had the audacity to approach Jesus full of personal ambition and the arrogance to do it in front of the other ten. James and John came to Jesus asking Him if they could sit at His right and left hand.

This provided the occasion for the Lord Jesus to give a beautiful and revolutionary lesson on greatness. Jesus didn’t rebuke them for wanting to be great. He simply gave them an unexpected formula: Be a Servant. Leaders add value by serving others. In the world, prominent men are those who rule with arbitrary power and are overbearing and domineering. But greatness in Christ’s kingdom is marked by service, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant (v44).

Jesus even modeled for them the perfect example of a Servant Leader. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (v45).

Late in his life, the Apostle Peter gave this advice for Christian leaders: Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock (1Peter 5:2-3).