Mark 10:42-45 -- “So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ ”
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It is one of the more difficult things to do, to be a “lord” and a servant at the same time.
Each of us at different times in our lives, especially related to work and career, have most likely had the opportunity to be in a position of leadership. This same example of serving and leading can also apply to our family lives as older siblings, parents or grandparents, aunts or uncles. How good are we at leading and serving at the same time? On our best days, we do a great job of being available to provide support and guidance. Our directions are clear and founded in logic. We take the time to explain our actions. We teach. We help those whom we are leading and they see we are truly serving them and their needs.
But at times, we can slip into a mindset that our position as a leader has power and, as we know, power can corrupt. We restrict our presence, limiting access and falling into the trap of self-importance. We give arbitrary commands, barking out orders which may come from the fear of appearing incompetent or inadequate. We start to believe that the actions we take from our position of power do not require explanation or justification and take offense when questioned. We become selfish, focused on serving ourselves, leaving those whom we are supposed to serve feeling abandoned and on their own.
In the part of Mark’s Gospel, just before these verses above, we see Jesus predicting His own death a third time. A week from today, we will be reminded again of His torture and death in our observance of Good Friday. Yes, even though we continue to celebrate His life and in a couple of days, rejoice in His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, being praised as a King on Palm Sunday, we know His death is soon to come. Jesus, in His conversation with the disciples here, speaks very specifically about the connection between being “great” and taking on the mantle of service.
Jesus us gave us the ultimate example of servant leadership. During His time on earth, He used His power for good by healing, teaching and feeding thousands of people. He washed His disciples feet. He took on a thorn of crowns, was beaten, mocked and nailed to a cross. He purposefully remained in pain, blessing those around Him...even those who were responsible for the brutality committed against Him. He gave up His life for us, taking on the sins of the world -- past, present and future -- in order for us to have eternal life with our Father God.
Are we capable of such service? There are certainly those who come close. Men and women who have voluntarily entered the fray as a soldiers, policemen, firefighters and other first responders, and then gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in order to save others are examples of this. But we also have the opportunity to serve in much more simple and abundant ways. Our actions every day in the little things we do for those around us are the ways we serve. We don’t have to think that service only comes in these giant efforts or intense sacrifices of time, talent or treasure.
So, how will you serve? How will you lead? Take time today to lend an ear or a helping hand. Commit that anonymous act of selflessness of which only you and God are aware. For we have the example in Jesus of the ultimate servant leader. Rejoice in the knowledge that He served us in order that we might be encouraged to pass along that same service to others, putting ourselves last and Him first.
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