Shocking

If someone were to ask you, “What kind of a leader was Jesus?” how would you respond? You might point out that He was powerful (even the winds and the seas obeyed him). Certainly he had the magnetism that accompanies great leaders (he gathered crowds of over 500 people). He displayed great authority and wisdom in his teaching, to the point that many were amazed by him. But, perhaps the main dividing line between Jesus and other leaders (aside from his deity) is the servant-like attitude he carried. It is shocking that someone esteemed so highly would stoop so low.

Jesus said, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” And he modeled it. In fact, he set the bar so high that no matter how low we stoop to serve those we are leading, we will never travel downwards as far as Jesus did. Consider the last supper when the Creator stoops down to wash dirty, created feet. You can not overdo servanthood in your leadership. What type of foot washing (the dirty, boring, unimpressive work that by all worldly standards is ‘beneath you’ as a leader) can you do to serve those you are leading this summer? Do that work, and you will be great in the eyes of The Lord, Even if that makes you look less in the eyes of men.

–Ky Martin