TRUE LEADERSHIP

Moses was a great leader. After his experience with the burning bush in the wilderness and his attempt to be excused from service, Moses went on to become one of the great leaders of all time. Among the many interesting things the Bible tells us about Moses is that he was the most humble man on earth (Numbers 12:3). How humble is that? How humble is the most humble man on earth? I have trouble wrapping my mind around that.

Recently via the Internet I watched a well-known megachurch pastor defend himself against some very troubling accusations. I have no idea about the validity of the accusations but what concerned me was this man’s attitude. Humility was not to be seen but arrogance was, defiance was. Dressed in an expensive handmade suit and decked out in gold chains and diamond rings, narcissism was in evidence—but not humility. We seem to see a lot of this attitude lately.

One of the more humorous (well, at least to me) and yet insightful stories in the New Testament is found in Matthew 20:20-28. The brothers James and John had their mommy go to Jesus to make a request for them. (Did you get that? Grown men had their mother go and make a request on their behalf!) Mommy said to Jesus, “When you establish your kingdom, could one of my boys please sit at your right and the other at your left?” (v. 21) In the world’s eyes, these are the second-level power seats.

I can just see the brothers standing over to the side, slyly smiling as their mother made this request on their behalf. They thought this was a very cool move!

Jesus’ response was really kind, in spite of the blindness of this trio. “You have no idea what you are asking” (v. 22). At that time, none of the disciples seemed to grasp that when Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God He was not speaking of overthrowing the Romans and establishing an earthy kingdom. Three and one-half years these men spent with Him, almost every day in His physical presence, almost every day sitting under His teaching, and they still didn’t “get it” until after the resurrection.

When the other disciples picked up on the attempted power play by James and John, they were really ticked off but the Lord defused the situation by turning it into a lesson on true biblical leadership. Jesus called together all the disciples and taught them one of the key life lessons of the kingdom.

“It is the way of the world system for those in authority to dominate and control their employees and make a great display of their authority by constantly reminding people that they are important—and they have the power. But among my followers, Jesus said, it will be different. If you want to be a leader in the kingdom of God, first you must become a humble servant. Even I did not come to be served or to act as a ruler. I came to serve My followers and to give My life in payment for their mistakes” (Matthew 20:24b-28, paraphrase mine).

During the American Revolutionary War, a rider on horseback came upon a squad of soldiers who were trying to move a heavy piece of timber. A corporal stood by, shouting orders to “heave,” but the timber was too heavy for the men to move.

The quiet man on the horse addressed the self-important corporal by asking, “Why don’t you help them?”

“Me? Help them? I’m a corporal, sir!”

Dismounting, the stranger carefully took his place with the soldiers. “Now, boys, let’s work together—heave!” said the quiet man. The big piece of timber slid into place. The stranger mounted his horse, turned, and addressed the corporal.

“The next time you have a piece of timber too big for your men to handle, corporal, send for me. My name is George Washington and I’m the commander in chief of this army.”

Leadership in the kingdom of God is not established by flaunting authority, wealth, or power; it is established by serving others. Jesus established His authority and the pattern for kingdom authority by becoming a servant to all His disciples and to all of us by personally paying the ransom for our errors. We become leaders in the kingdom by being willing to serve others—not for the recognition but because it’s the right thing to do.