And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” — Mark 9:35 (ESV)

In yesterday’s post we discussed God’s requirements for earthly kings in the Old Testament. Mostly those kings failed miserably.

But God’s plan included providing a perfect king for his people: Jesus, the god-man, who would spend three years discipling his motley crew of twelve, and then become the sacrifice for all people. Through his sacrifice, grace has come, and we no longer have to be constantly worried about displeasing God.

But in that short span of three years Jesus showed and taught us how to live: as a servant — humble and concerned about our neighbors, friends, and enemies over ourselves. It is the hardest principle for our selfish selves to get right, yet it changes everything when we manage it.

Servant leadership! What a concept! That the leader is a servant to all, not lording it over everyone about his power. Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” — Matthew 20:25-26. (ESV)

Here is a direct quote from President Trump on April 13, 2020: “When somebody is president of the United States, the authority is total. And that’s the way it’s got to be. It’s total.”

If that doesn’t frighten you to death, what will?

A servant leader is humble, listens before speaking, and considers the good of all people, not just a few.

Don’t you yearn for that servant leader?