REPOST  Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on April 14, 2018, is provided by Emerson Lin. Emerson, who serves in E. Asia as a missionary, is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Who First Came Up with Servant Leadership?”

Mark 10:35-45

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Robert Greenleaf, Director of Management Development at AT&T, coined the term “Servant Leadership” in the 1970’s. He describes the process as, “it begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.” This changed the way how executives approached leading business organizations. However, long before Robert Greenleaf coined the term “Servant Leadership,” Jesus embodied servant leadership.

In this passage, James and John boldly approach Jesus to ask, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” Upon hearing this request, the other disciples became indignant, most likely, because they were jealous. However, Jesus calls the Twelve together and says, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.” 

Verse 42 reveals the heart of James and John and the other disciples. The rulers and high officials mentioned in the text were commanders second to Caesar. The way that these commanders led was to “lord it (authority) over” and “exercise authority over” their subjects. Because James and John thought Jesus came as political king, they coveted the right hand and left hand positions of Jesus.  However, Jesus challenges their world view of leadership and calls them to become servants. By adding the word “even,” Jesus wants to make it clear that the Son of Man, who is supposed to be served, came to become a servant. May we all, especially church leaders, develop the same heart posture for others. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, because you came as a servant, I am able to experience your goodness. Thank you so much for your servant’s heart. Whether in leadership or daily life, may I become more like you. Amen

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 46-47