Servant Leadership

Mark 10:35-45
Length: 19:42

This is a message given on October 18, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.

Servant Leadership

Our Scripture this morning picks up on the theme we saw a few weeks ago regarding humility. Apparently, James and John hadn’t learned that lesson yet. They still didn’t understand that Jesus was going to die, not build an earthly kingdom. So the disciples, in particular James and John, are trying to assure a place of predominance in the coming kingdom.

According to the parallel account in the Gospel of Matthew, James and John were accompanied by their mother Salome. And Salome actually spoke first, then James and John reiterated the request we see here in the Gospel of Mark.

It is probable that the two sons asked their mother to bring the request to Jesus. She may have more influence over Him than they did. Plus it looks a little less selfish if you have someone else ask a question like this. It is also possible that Salome was Jesus’ aunt.

Their request is a pretty open-ended question. They start by saying “Do for us whatever we ask.” How bold is that! It is obvious from their opening question that they knew their request was a little bit over the top.

I mean Jesus has already been over this topic once. He just got done telling everyone they must be like children. And in verses 35 and 36 He once again stated that He must die and rise again. As usual the disciples weren’t understanding, and in fact will continue this discussion up to the very night Jesus is betrayed.

Jesus replies, “What do you want me to do?” They reply, “We want the seats on the left and right hand side of You.” These would be the places of highest prominence and honor.

Jesus tries to open their eyes and change their way of thinking by talking about the Cup that He will drink from and take the Baptism that He will take.

As we know, they weren’t heading to Jerusalem for a victory celebration. Rather it will be the ultimate suffering and sacrifice. James and John want to be considered Jesus’ closest companions, sitting on either side of Him. They think this will be a promotion not persecution. They believe they can drink the Cup and be Baptized like Christ.

The Cup and Baptism Jesus refers to here is enduring suffering and death as Jesus would. Indeed, both James and John would be persecuted and suffer, just like their Master. As we see in Acts 12:2 , James is the first Apostle to be killed because of his faith.

As we know from Revelation, John, on the other hand, will be the last surviving Apostle. According to church tradition, John was the only Apostle who didn’t die a martyr. His life was spared, but that does not mean he didn’t suffer persecution.

Jesus can promise them persecution but not position for the Kingdom. That is His Father’s choice alone. After His resurrection, Jesus will be given all authority on Heaven and Earth, but during His ministry He lives in submission to the will of the Father.

Jesus submits Himself to the physical and spiritual needs of sinners. He comes as a servant and invites His disciples to do the same. Honors in the Kingdom of God are not based upon selfish ambitions.

While Jesus is telling James and John this, the other disciples must have been within ear shot or came closer to hear what Jesus was saying. They become upset with James and John, not because of the question or their lack of understanding, but because James and John beat them to the punch.

Each one of the twelve still want the place of honor in the kingdom. Even after three years of walking and listening to Jesus, they still didn’t get the purpose of His ministry, which was to die as a servant of humanity.

You would think those twelve would have figured it out, but they didn’t. In fact, almost 2000 years later that lesson is still not understood or implemented.

The problem is simple. We imitate the ways of the world, not the way of Jesus. It seems as though we pattern our church using government, business, or other secular methods rather than the Bible.

We seem to want power and titles and salaries to go alone with our recognition. No doubt this breaks Jesus’ heart when he sees this kind of stuff happening. In fact, at the beginning of His ministry and at the end of His ministry Jesus cleanses the temple. I think if He were here walking today, He would do the same to our Churches.

The way to greatness in the Kingdom is not climbing some ladder like in the corporate world. Rather it is picking up the basin and towel as Jesus did that night in the upper room. This is not difficult for anyone to understand, yet so few actually implement it.

Verse 45 really sums it all up, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” He came to serve humanity by dying for our sins.

Jesus was the ultimate example of servant leadership. He is the King of kings and Lord of Lords, but He gave up His privileges and He gave up His life as a selfless sacrifice in serving others.

He paid the price for those who put their faith into Him. The ransom price was paid to God to satisfy His justice and holy wrath against sin. In paying it, “Christ bore our sins in His body on the cross.”

As we see from the example of Christ, true greatness comes from serving others, not using them as the world does. A real leader has a servant’s heart. Rather than seeking ways to have your needs met, look for ways you can minister to the needs of others.

Servant leaders realize the worth and value of other people. They also realize they aren’t above any job or duty If you see something that needs to be done, don’t wait for someone to ask. Take the initiative and do it like a faithful servant.

So often, Christians try to influence the world to live like them. I believe we need to stop living like the world first and truly start living like Christ did. Only then will we truly make a difference.

Closing Prayer

Lord, we thank you for these wonderful lessons that we learn here each week. Help us to truly apply them to our lives. Help us this week to be servant leaders. Help us to be truly great, by serving others out of love for you and love for them.
AMEN