“The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11). Jesus Christ, speaking to his disciples, points to service as the epitome of greatness and the primary call of leadership. A key passage of Scripture that sets the foundation for servant leadership is Matthew 20:20-28. In this passage, Jesus contrasts the leadership of the Gentiles to the leadership that exemplifies the kingdom of God—leadership through service and sacrifice. He addresses the disciples' pride and presents a leadership vision that follows Jesus’ example of living selflessly for the good of others. Jesus coming to serve does not mean his followers tell him what to do; instead, it means Jesus gives them what they need. Jesus serves them and expects them to serve one another.
Servant leadership directly contradicted the Roman occupation at the time of the disciples. Roman rule was one of domination and authoritarianism, with the desires of those in leadership seen as most important. Followers of Jesus are to lead with a different kind of ethic: as servants who put the needs of others before their own. They are not exempt from menial tasks and lead by example rather than command. Jesus focuses on enabling and empowering others rather than wielding power for oneself.
Followers of Jesus are to lead with a different kind of ethic: as servants who put the needs of others before their own.
Jesus’ teaching and example of leadership provide the foundation for the servant leadership model. Three critical components from Matthew 20:20-28 support the servant leadership model. First, Jesus identifies the nature of worldly, human leadership and implies that worldly leaders subjugate their followers by wielding power, often through fear, coercion, or manipulation. The disciples understood this, having lived under Roman rule. Second, Jesus specifies service as the prerequisite for greatness in the kingdom of God. Third, Jesus identifies his own servant nature by explaining that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). Jesus points ahead to his crucifixion as the ultimate example and act of service for the good of others.
In their book Designed to Lead, Geiger and Peck write, “The primary purpose for our leadership mandate is to make known the glory of God by leading others to flourish in God’s design” (p. 62). This is the biblical nature of servant leadership—to serve others for their good and God’s glory. May we be servant leaders who look to the humble example of King Jesus who perfectly showed us leadership through service and sacrifice.
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