Thursday, December 2, 2021

Servant of All

 

[Photo of open hands with words superimposed]


“Anyone who wants to be first must be
the very last, and the servant of all.”
—Mark 9:35b

We have a leadership crisis in our society today. Many want to ascend to positions of so-called leadership where others will cater to their every need. In situation after situation, it seems as if these exalted leaders do not have the courage to act decisively to protect the best interests of those they lead. This phenomenon occurs in government, in business, in the church, and even in our homes.

But in the Kingdom of God, Jesus wants His followers to become genuine leaders by learning to serve. Please take note of Jesus’ words in Mark 9:33-35:

They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?”

But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

This day we can learn a valuable lesson from Jesus’ instruction. In order to lead, we must serve. We must do the opposite of most human leaders. Instead of demanding that others serve us, in sincere humility, we must look for ways to serve others. For those who follow Jesus, such is the way of the cross.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Friday, November 27, 2015

Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.