A SECOND LOOK AT LEADERSHIP

 

Text: John 13:1-15

Please Open Your Bible ⤵️

1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 

Key Verse: "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you" (John 13:15).

Message

Leaders in the world, conventionally, crave recognition, respect and honour. They seek to be applauded for every little conduct. The promises they make and the work they do are all geared towards garnering popularity. To them, those they lead must remain grateful for their service.

Jesus Christ is different. He models a distinct type of leadership uncommon in the world. After dinner one day, He did something unusual. He took a towel and a bucket of water, and washed the feet of His disciples.

Probably baffled, none of the disciples questioned this strange action, until Jesus got to Peter. He thought it was demeaning for His Master to wash his feet, a task usually reserved for servants in Jewish households. Jesus explained to him that except his feet were washed, he could not have a relationship with Him. Peter promptly pleaded that his whole body be washed. But Jesus assured him that it was sufficient to wash the feet. When He completed the task, Jesus reminded the disciples that while they rightly called Him Master, they should follow His example and wash one another's feet.

The standard of leadership expected of believers is much higher than that practised in the world. His message was simple: the Christian leader's task is to be of service to his people. He should not see himself as a master, but as a servant. His activities must bring benefits to his people whose spiritual and temporal wellbeing must remain his preoccupation. Only then can he truly claim to be walking in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thought For The Day: If we follow Christ's footsteps, we'll leave worthy footprints.

The Bible In One Year: Acts 9-10

Meditation

The leader as a servant

 Jesus taught a strong lesson on who a leader is and their responsibilities as opposed to what we have in the world.

1. Answerable

Since the leader is a servant, they are answerable to both God and man.

2. Accountability

A servant is not just a boss but must be ready to give account of his stewardship to both God and the led.

3. Advisory/advisers

A leader is also an adviser helping his people to make the right choice. Jesus advised Peter to allow Him to wash his legs for his own good. 

4. Accomodating

Jesus was patient enough to listen to Peter without discouraging him from expressing himself.

5. Amiable

A true servant is generally loved by the people he is serving if he is doing it faithfully and lovingly.

6. Association

Jesus,  though Lord of all, freely moved and associated with his people.

 

7. Assumeless

Jesus was humble and unassuming, washing the disciples' feet. Humility is the hallmark of true leadership.

8. Accessible

A true servant is easily accessible to the people he is leading.

9. Any other attribute of a leader from the text?

Question: Is your leadership style the  right godly model you will like to recommend to the people you are leading?

Prayer points

Teach me more to be a leader like Christ 🙏

Give me the humility and mindset of a servant🙏

Empower me to be an exemplary leader like Christ🙏

Lord, give our leaders and pastors the mindset of a servant and let them not lose their rewards🙏

Hymn: I want to be like Jesus

1. I want to be like Jesus,

So lowly and so meek;

For no one marked an angry word

That ever heard him speak.

Refrain:

I want to be like Jesus,

God's well beloved Son;

I want to be like Jesus,

The pure and holy One.

2. I want to be like Jesus,

So frequently in prayer;

Alone upon the mountain top,

He met his Father there. 

3. I want to be like Jesus,

Engaged in doing good,

So that of me it may be said,

He hath done what he could. 

4. Alas! I'm not like Jesus,

As any one may see;

Thy gentle Spirit, Savior, send,

And make me like to thee.