When we turn on the news, we are overrun by illustrations of leadership-both good and bad. We hear terms like “leading from behind” to “True leadership is this or that”. The problem is that when we get ten people in a room, we get ten different definitions for what leadership is. Today, I am going clear up the mystery around what true leadership is. I am going cut through all the worldly noise and clarify what true leadership is according to God, through His Word. Why God? Because God is the only supernatural, perfect, all good, and unmovable being. In other words, God doesn’t change as the Ultimate Standard for all things. And today we will look at what true leadership really is.
At one time or another all of us have experienced having a good boss and a bad one. One major reason for this lack of good leadership can be attributed to our culture becoming, generally speaking, void of biblical conviction, literacy, and orthodox Christian values. This has led a deficit of good leadership; a generation with very little if any idea as to what true ethical, biblical servant leadership is or supposed to be.
The begs the question as to what God’s Word tells us about leadership. In an effort to answer that question, let’s look at the Book of Matthew, chapter 5:25-28. The general setting is as follows:
Jesus was going up to Jerusalem with his twelve disciples and explained to them that that “the Son of Man” (speaking of Himself, Jesus) would be condemned to death and delivered to the Gentiles, mocked and flogged and then crucified and will be raised on the third day.
For starters, the disciples did not fully comprehend what Jesus was saying at the time. As a result, the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, “kneeling before him she asked him a favor…”. What did she ask of Jesus? She asked Him to promising that her two sons “…sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom” (vs.21).
Jesus kindly but firmly explained to her that she does not know what she is asking for, and that the Father makes that decision. Jesus goes on to explain to her that those who are first will be last, and those who are last will be first in the kingdom of God. Jesus points out in verses 25-28, that the measure of greatness is not position, power, or prestige but one of SERVICE or “SERVANT LEADERSHIP”. When you connect the dots of what Jesus is saying, it becomes clear that leadership are called to “servant leadership” and servant leadership is what defines or makes a great leader.
A true leader has a number of components, and I want to share with you four essential principles or components that define a true leadership. When these four principles are followed by those in authority, true success more often than not follows, and those people being led by the servant leader tend to rise to their fullest potential. So WHAT does define a true leadership? I have four bullet points to describe true servant leadership according to God through Matthew:
1) FIRST: A TRUE LEADER does NOT lord their authority over others. Jesus makes clear that the Gentiles lord and often abuse their power with those below their authority. This is wrong for the Gentiles to do so and absolutely unacceptable for the Jewish people to do this is the point Jesus is making. We the reader should take note of this.
2) SECOND: A TRUE LEADER is a “servant-leader” and as such is responsible for others. A true leader sees their self and their role as one committed to the organizational success and development of those they serve (those who report to that person). The greatest of leaders understands that “GREATNESS” is not ruling over others, but serving those they are responsible for.
3) THIRD: A TRUE LEADER is smart in that they put the needs of others, meaning those under them before himself or herself; understanding that in the end, to be first on earth is to be last in eternity. A true, authentic leader understands the true nature of leadership as servanthood. The true leaders sees the big picture as opposed the immediate gratification of the present moment.
4) FOURTH: LASTLY, A TRUE LEADER who happens to be a person of faith in Jesus Christ is different than a leader of no faith, or one who has faith in any other religion or god(s) out side of the Christian faith. While it’s possible for a non-Christian to become a great leader, their success is predicated on whether they follow the biblical model for servant leadership or not. In the end it all boils down to the WHY one leads as a true servant leader that sets that leader apart. Matthew 20:28 shows us the Ultimate Standard for great/servant leadership in Matthew 20:28. This verse also tells us the “WHY”:
“…the Son of Man (Jesus) came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). In other words Jesus came as the Ultimate Servant Leader and paid the ultimate price-His bodily life.
ZOOMING OUT
Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV) says this:“25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
SO WHY WOULD GOD COME AS A SERVANT LEADER WHEN HE DOESN’T”T HAVE TO? WHAY ANSWER: HE CAME AS A “RANSOM FOR MANY”?
>>> Jesus as God himself did not see himself as some kind of a “boss” but rather as the Ultimate Servant Leader of the universe. The word “FOR” used in verse 28 is undebatable in that it means “IN THE PLACE OF”. Christ here clearly interprets the meaning of His sacrifice as a servant to or “IN PLACE OF” our having to face eternal damnation. Jesus came as the Ultimate Servant Leader as a substitution (payment for sin) for you, me and for people who will accept that as a free gift through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
IN CONCLUSION
From a Birds Eye view, verses 20-23 function as a a bridge connecting 20:1-18 with 20:29-34. Through this bridge it is made clear that God gives rewards on the basis of His grace (verses. 1-16) through the death of His son (vs. 17-19). We all, from time to time tend to jockey for rewards and status in life. If not careful, when void of true accountability, we can end up self-serving as opposed to living out our mission through true servant leadership as defined byJesus.
Think about it. Jesus had already promised that the disciples would reign in the kingdom with Him (19:28). But James and John wanted a GUARANTEE that they would be the first among equals. Don’t we do the same type of thing from time to time? Before we get angry with James and John, let’s admit (if honest with ourselves) that in our carnal, sinful state, most of us would want the same in light of wanting a high seat in the kingdom of God. But Jesus says in verse 27 that the greatest among you, “SHALL BE YOUR SERVANT” or “HELPER” (v26).
By authentically seeing yourself and living out your life as a SERVANT LEADER, you will begin to better develop as a godly leader. This does NOT mean that you or I will develop as a perfect person or perfect leader. It simply means that through “sanctification”, God’s grace and a teachable heart, that we will become better servant leaders, authentically lead by biblical principles and the power of the Holy Spirit. We will struggle in a good way with our own sin but that means that we are developing in Christ. When we get to heaven, we will have finally arrived in God’s glorification. For now, we struggle, develop, and strive to become better servant leaders.
FINALLY
It is true that a leader serves his organization by exercising authority and influence. But the TRUE SERVANT leader-one who satisfied Jesus’ job description, occasionally gets his hands dirty in the process of helping those who cannot reciprocate. Let’s remember that Jesus Himself did not come to be served but to serve us.
If we are listening, watching and operating with a teachable heart, than this will provide us the supreme example of servant leadership. And this is God’s blueprint for TRUE SERVANT LEADERSHIP.
