Followership

SCRIPTURE: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served,” says Jesus to his disciples, “but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 NIV

THOUGHT: The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus challenges our every notion of what and who we think important. At every turn we are confronted by an upside-down kingdom with a king who promised that he came to serve.

Servants and leaders. Two very different things in the world we occupy.

It’s a little soapbox of mine, so forgive me in advance, but for those of you who work in corporate America, you’ve probably been schooled that leadership is the point. Few head hunters or human resources departments or schools of business write an ad looking for good servants. Even in the church, I often find leadership is the celebrated quality. That’s what gets the attention and affection and accolades.

Don’t get me wrong. Jesus led. He led by default, because he just didn’t care what the “world” thought. John, a best friend and closer observer of Jesus said, ”But Jesus, on his side, did not trust himself to them—for he knew them all. He did not need anyone to tell him what people were like: he understood human nature (Jn. 2:24 Phillips).” Jesus led well because he only listened to one voice: “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work (Jn. 4:34 NIV).

No competing affections. No mixed motives. No power-hungry grasping. No zealous coups. Jesus was a perfect follower. May the same be said of us.

PRAYER: Jesus, your promise to serve wasn’t empty words. You did it, and by doing it, you led those who would follow you. Help us listen and follow with the same single-minded purpose you showed your Father – and ours.