Mark 10:41-45 – Leadership through serving

When the other ten disciples heard that James and John had approached the Lord and asked to be more prominent than them, they were outraged. Why were they upset? Could it be that they themselves were also eyeing the position? It is more likely that they felt they were beaten to it. They were angry because James and John thought of it before them. How do we know? From the way the Lord responded to their anger. He did not just address James and John, He addressed all of them.

He called them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Jesus quickly dealt with their politicking mentality. He pointed out that people in the world would deploy such method to manoeuvre and outdo each other. This ought not to happen among God’s people. There must not be this pushy struggling for position of honor. If we truly understand ourselves and our God-given gifts, there will be no necessity to try and compete with each other. What we need is merely to function in whatever capacity we find ourselves in. When we start competing with others, there will be rivalry, dishonesty, deceit, back-biting, conniving and manipulation. In the world, a person gauges honor by counting the number of people under his or her power and control. Seldom would a person measure honor by how many people he or she is serving. This is the mentality of ownership and not stewardship.  

In saying “But this is not the way among you…,” Jesus was asking them to consider something very radical. He proceeded to ask them to put the needs of others always before them. The world is full of people in needs. The way to make impact in their lives is to meet their needs. This is the key to leadership. Unlike the world, where leadership is about seeking to be served, to Christ, leadership is about serving. To the Lord, true leadership is servant-hood.

Jesus did not merely say it in words. He led by example. “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” This is the ultimate example. Though He has every right to exert authority over everyone, but He chose to lay them down. He willingly laid His life down in order to meet all our needs. This is how leadership in the Kingdom must function.  

If we understand that, it will be easier to echo the words of this song:

Lord, make me a servant, humble and meek.

Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.

And may the prayer of my heart always be.

Make me a servant, make me a servant. 

Make me a servant today.