Servant Leadership
Servant Leadership - What Would Jesus Do
Scripture: Mark 10:35-45
October 20, 2024
Deb Beutel
Have any of you ever really thought about the definition or meaning of servant leadership or what we mean when we say WWJD? We hear those words but, do we really stop and try and understand them? Sometimes, I do think however that as humble as we think we might be, we can be challenged with being willing and wanting to serve, and simultaneously being humble. Afterall, we are all human. So, as I was reading the text from Mark while preparing this sermon, I started to practice that thing you do when you read a story in the Bible and try and notice which character resonates with you. And, sadly, I must confess, I would not want to do that practice with today’s text (Mark 10:35-45). But as Mark places it in the narrative, James and John come off here as the dictionary definition of crass.
I do not want to entertain the idea that I might share some similarities with James and John. None of us wants to admit that we, too, might be seeking notoriety and power, especially with such blind ambition. Yet, there is something entirely understandable about this episode in our walk with Jesus that, despite my resistance, I can’t help but feel for them. And it seems that Jesus does too.
When we gather for worship, we are so very similar to the disciples. There are some of us searching for our place with ambition and enthusiasm that may (or may not!) be a little misguided or misplaced. Others are waiting on the sidelines, longing for someone to invite them to step into their role and find their place in the community. How, then, can worship help us recognize that we’re all searching for the same thing—a place to belong, a community and a relationship with a body of believers and a loving God!
Jesus, as usual, gives us a good place to start. We serve. We realign ourselves toward service with one another, our community, and our world. Not, “I’m going to burn out because I’m the only one who shows up” service. No, this is service in partnership with one another and God, service that values one another and the gifts we bring, service that is sustainable through the ebbs and flows of our lives because we do it together. God is leading us to do so much more and we aren’t going to put limits on our awesome God because he always equips the called. But, have we ever consciously pondered how the gifts of our church fit the needs of our neighborhood. Perhaps we need to start thinking outside the box? Maybe today isn’t a day for answering that question but for asking for wisdom and discernment and for truly listening as God guides the imagination and creativity of our congregation as we explore new opportunities. On this leg of the journey with Jesus, we also need to remember to take the time to pray and celebrate the ways God is already at work and will continue to work among us!
Last week, Pastor Fred reminded that, like the rich young king, we must consider what we are clinging onto. Is God asking us to let go of our security, ego, or need for control? Are we willing to submit and follow Him more completely?
So in this weeks’ text with what seems like infinite patience, Jesus explains to James and John the importance of serving with humility. James and John aren’t the only ones who want to put themselves higher than they should. It is a cultural blindness for many of us. We’re surrounded by messages telling us to dream big and reach for the stars. In and of itself, that’s not a bad thing at all. But it sometimes leads to finding shortcuts that do damage to ourselves or those around us. There’s a reason why Paul was so big on humility in many of his letters. But if Jesus can be so incredibly patient with these two, maybe we have a chance as well.
Jesus then proceeds to provide a lesson on servant leadership, and shares what it means to lead. He says we can look around and see all kinds of authority, many ways of wielding power. But that’s not the model we follow. Instead, he says we lead by setting ourselves aside. We do it by serving. Not serving to climb a ladder, however, but serving to serve—even to the point of giving our lives away. “Service isn’t a strategy,” he says. It is not a means of getting to the top, of achieving a personal goal. Instead, it is a way of being. Service is a way of living.
Maybe James and John helped Jesus make this point about the importance of serving and being humble. So, perhaps we shouldn’t be too hard on them. Maybe we should all strive to emulate Jesus’ servant leadership and “Do what Jesus Would Do!” So as you all leave this place this morning, I challenge you to ponder the words, “whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” Service is a way of living and the best way that we can share the good news with our brothers and sisters and especially with the least and lost.