Mark 10:42-45 | Kathryn Alban

The Servant Leader

Intro:

In preparation for this sermon I looked up a list of the top most influential leaders of all times.

This list included:

Mahatma Gandhi: Who led India to independence through nonviolent resistance, inspiring the cevil rights movements worldwide.

Nelson Mandela: Fought against apartheid in South Africa and became the first Black president. He did this all well spending 27 years of his time leading from prison because he was in-prisoned for his work against segregation.

Abraham Lincoln: the 16th president of the US. Worked to end slavery, and create unity. Sacrificing for the greater good.

George Washington: the first president of the US. He refused absolute power, and stepped down after 2 terms of presidency.

All of these famous leader have in common the fact that they were servant leaders. Ones that did not have to rule with harsh authority or violence to achieve greatness for those they led and served...They put others above themselves, not seeking personal gain but accepted their positions because of the good it would do for others.

The funny thing is Jesus Christ was not listed among the top leaders but when I looked up who was the most influential servant leader: Jesus Christ was the top. He like no one else

put others first

empowered others

led by example

sacrificed for others

and had a transformative impact in the short 3 years of ministry.

Think about that for a second...3 years...that’s as old as Ezra and many in this room remember when Ezra was born...It feels like yesterday. But because of who Jesus was in that short 3 years time his impact lasted for eternity.

This servant leader was demonstrating God here on earth.

We have looked at Jesus as Righteous Judge, Teacher of Truth, and now Servant Leader.

If you can turn with me to Mark 10 starting with verse. 35

Earthly Desire

Mark 10:35–42 ESV

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

James and John here ask Jesus if they can sit at his right and left. They want to be the it guys...the high and mighty ones.

They were asking from their own desires...I do not necessarily think it was asked out of malice intent. They wanted to be close to Jesus, but they still did not get it.

Being a disciple of Jesus was not about being lifted up, or gaining a title, being surperior. It was about imitating Christ’ love to the world.

Not some people could look at James and John and think that they were disrespectful in this question.

How could they ask a questions like this? (One sermon I listened to even called them idiots)

BUT...I think that they are just showing the human characteristic that we can all fall into if we are not careful.

Jesus responds with the question.… “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with which i am baptized?”

He is basically saying, you are asking for the glamor and to be my right and left hand men....but you do not know the cost. And of course James and John answered yes they could...not fully understanding, like Peter telling Jesus he would die for him before denying him.

-The desire for the glamorous things. The desire for power and prosperity. The desire for attention and selfish glory.

If this desire becomes greater than our desire to be like Jesus...then we have lost our mark.

Jesus used this question as a teaching moment for his disciples.

Pointing towards the Gentile leaders who act with harshness, who lord it over others. The discipline would have been all too familiar with these kinds of leaders.

-This type of leadership is what made the disciples agree with the person of Jesus. Because he was love and not selfishness.

They were seeing the crowds of people praise Jesus, the miracles on miracles being performed....this what must have felt like unstoppable force. BUT Jesus knew what was coming.

To follow Christ meant to lay down your self (self-seeking, ignorance...and only desire Christ.)

Christ charges his disciples to lead different:

2. Our Charge

Mark 10:43–44 ESV

But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.

Paul Hemming “You no special”, leading by example for the kids...show the correct behavior instead of just leading withe demands.

Pharisees led through words and demands...they would never be caught washing feet.

Jesus says to his disciples and us “You no special”. If Jesus, the Lord of Heaven and Earth humbled himself to serve and put others first, so should you.

Jesus was charging his disciples to lead different. Not as the world but as those who serve. Those who do not value authority in this world to be something to abuse because we know who hold the true authority.

3. Jesus as the Example of Leader

Mark 10:45 ESV

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus tells his disciples not to focus on personal gain but charges them to serve and be humble. And he has all authority to do this because Christ (well is God) and also did this himself.

Coming to earth to serve and give his life ...

Grampy driving to my dad with no AC because he knew my Dad was driving around with no AC...

Jesus empathizes with us. Understanding and feeling our emotions because he has experienced them.

One of the most impactful moments of servant leadership shown was seen in John 13.

John 13:1–5 ESV

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Right before Jesus went to take on unjust punishment, beatings, crucifixion, the sins of all and death He washed the feet of his disciples.

The feet of those would deny him, run away from him, and betray him.

Jesus was not coming to die for those who he believed deserved it...but for those he knew did not.

conclusion:

John 13:34–35 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

First, above all else, the biblical, servant leader must serve God and follow his leadership.

Chet Roden