Mark 9:30-37

Godly Leadership

Jesus began to tell them that He was going to be handed over to men, be killed and on the third day He would rise. Jesus though being God in the flesh was willing to give Himself up for humanity. By His act of selfless sacrifice, He brought salvation to man.

So why did Jesus, being God, commit to being crucified? I believe that it is the ultimate expression of meekness, power, and love.

Meekness

Jesus being God, has all power to do whatever He desires within His character. What I mean by this is that God sets His own limitations. For example, God cannot sin. 1 John 1:5

1 John 1:5 NASB95

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

God will not step out of who He is.

Hebrews 13:8 NASB95

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Jesus being God, knew that He was the only One who could satisfy the wrath of God by paying the price of our sin. Matt. 5:17

Matthew 5:17 NASB95

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

John 1:29 NASB95

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Jesus laid his power aside to become like man, so He could save man. His heart was not One of boastful pride.

Philippians 2:6–11 NASB95

who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus expression of servant leadership was rooted in His meekness.

How can we reflect the meekness of Jesus in our own leadership roles?

Power

Jesus is the only one who could satisfy the wrath of God and bring salvation to sinful man.

John 14:6 NASB95

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Acts 4:12 NASB95

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

We are powerless in our salvation. We cannot make up for our sins. We are guilty and dependent on the One who has all power. We need to fall on His mercy and grace because that is all we have.

How does knowing we are powerless in our salvation impact our view of help and grace in our relationships?

Love

Jesus love for the lost led Him to the cross.

John 3:16 NASB95

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Romans 5:8 NASB95

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Once again God chooses to love us. Not because there is something special about us, but because He chooses to love us.

Romans 9:15 NASB95

For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

Jesus being God could have just left humanity in its sin. He does not need us nor does He owe us salvation. He wants relationship with us! I remember Tatum telling her mom when she was a little girl that Rachel had to love her because she was her mom, but she wanted to love someone not because she had to, but because she wanted to. The context was finding a husband.

The disciples did not understand what Jesus was talking about. They were even afraid to ask Him about what He meant about His statement. They were afraid because they had heard the rebuke of Peter and they didn’t want come to grips with what true leadership is. They left everything to be Jesus royalty when He established His earthly kingdom. They believed that Jesus was going to do that while they were alive.

How can we cultivate a heart of love and compassion for those we lead?

Selfish Leadership

While Jesus was sharing with them how he was going to be crucified and resurrected, the disciples were focused more on who was going to be greatest in the kingdom. When Jesus asked them what they were discussing they remained silent. Why did they remain silent? Because they were selfishly jockeying for who would have more authority and power in Jesus kingdom.

This seems to be a theme for the disciples. There is another example of this in Matt. 20:20-28

Matthew 20:20–28 NASB95

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.” But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

We see in this passage of Scripture that James and John’s mother ask Jesus to give her two son’s the most powerful positions in the kingdom of heaven. Somehow I have to believe that James and John may have made this to their mom.

James and John were in the inner circle of Jesus. However, so was Peter. When the mom saw Peter beginning to take a leadership role among the disciples, perhaps she became jealous and went to bat for her sons.

Whatever the reason, it was not received well by the other disciples. It was not received well because perhaps they wanted what the mother had asked for, for themselves.

Once again Jesus reminded them that the greatest in the kingdom are not those with power and authority, but those who serve.

When a person seeks leadership positions for their own self-benefit, they will often compromise the success of those they are in authority over to benefit themselves. For example they may take credit for one of their employees work.

A true leader transitions from their own success to providing opportunity for success for those that work for them.

How can we respond when we see someone in a leadership position acting selfishly?

Parental Leadership

Jesus puts a child in his lap and begins to tell that greatness involves caring for the most needy. A child was on the lowest part of the totem pole when it came to value. This is because they were so needy and had no way to contribute value.

Jesus is pointing out that true leadership is caring for your followers like a good parent would care for their child. What would you do for your child? Does it matter if your child can’t pay you back? Are their strings attached to you caring for your child? So why will we do anything for our child when it doesn’t benefit us or give us anything in return. It is our love for our child.

Love must be a motivating factor in our leadership. Love for people and love for the mission.

How can we ensure our leadership is motivated by love rather than a desire for power or recognition?