Mark 10:28-45 · John 17:24 — Leadership
Biblical Leadership
Real leadership, contrary to worldly expectations, is found in serving others without seeking personal reward or recognition. Jesus models true greatness through sacrificial service rather than the pursuit of power.
Introduction
We begin a series on leadership. There are three areas that we want to specifically engage in this series—government, the church, and the home. With the inauguration of a new president, we need to be reminded of God’s view of government. We need to be reminded that the home is one of God’s main venues for raising up those who can lead. And finally, as a congregation we need to understand God’s view of leadership as we move toward appointing additional leaders for this congregation. This series comes with two main purposes—first, to remind us what the biblical view of leadership is. Second, to call us to live with changed hearts and minds.
The call for leadership in our culture has sounded. In our country’s recent presidential election, both sides spoke about the lack of leadership from the two main party’s nominee. While both candidates have led in a variety of ways, the nation as a whole did not trust either candidate. Our nation longs for leaders who seek the common good rather than personal gain. Our nation longs for leaders who encourage rather than demand. What this means is that God’s way of leadership is welcome in our culture even though it may be derided. Ironic isn’t it? The very desire of a nation for a leader is found in the person of Jesus Christ and yet he is rejected for a variety of reasons not least of which is his call for exclusively following him. Thus, our nation continues to put forward government leaders that fall far short of expectations but rejects the leader that could unite us.
But this is true not just in government but it is true in the home and in the church. Today’s lesson is to renew our understanding of leadership from a biblical perspective. Our text is found in Mark 10. It is vital that we renew not only our understanding but dedicate ourselves to this view. We will be challenged to think differently and to make a conscious effort to follow a view that is wanted in our culture but largely rejected. It is a call for faith. It is a call for boldness and courage.
A Worldly Request
Mark tells us that Jesus is going to Jerusalem and that those who follow him are both amazed and afraid. Amazed at Jesus’ determination. Afraid of what might happen. Here for the third time, Jesus tells his disciples what is going to happen in Jerusalem. It is the most graphic and complete description yet of what is going to happen to the Son of God. But once again the disciples do not understand. Mark allows us to see that their thoughts are not on defeat but on victory through revolution.
James and John approach Jesus with a request. Their request at best is prideful. They want the best seats in Jesus’ new kingdom. And the other disciples are upset because they didn’t get to Jesus before James and John did. They have not learned what it means to be a servant of all. Rome rules. Jesus will dethrone Rome and then they will become the new rulers. There will be a displacement of one set of rules for another. Powerful rulers will give way to a new set of rulers. Nothing really changes in their view except who is ruling and who has the power to enforce rules.
How is it possible for the request to be made after a clear explanation of what is about to happen. I believe that is the purpose of verses 28-30. Having left everything, Jesus assures them that they will receive far greater in this life and in the life to come. What they fail to hear is the promise of greater persecution and suffering. They focus on the extra now. This not only allows them to ignore Jesus’ warning that he is going to die but to come with prideful hearts believing that a regime change is going to be ultimately beneficial to them.
The point of this text is found in Jesus’ response and I want us to get to that in just a moment. However, let’s notice the heart of the disciples. Start with James and John. Verse 35, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” Do you find that just a bit presumptuous? Do you think Jesus felt used? Did he smile and shake his head in disbelief? His response seems to suggest that he was willing, but the request is not within his will or his ability to give. James and John represent in a very real way our coming to God. Have you noticed our prayers? Are the requests selfishly oriented?
We are blessed beyond measure and yet we ask God to bless us even more. We live in comfort; yet, we want more. We assemble in ease; yet, we pray for less discomfort. We complain about being challenged and find no contentment in the midst of adversity. Being selfish is easier than being a servant. Would we look like shameless gold diggers if our prayer requests were made public? Looking at James and John is like looking in a mirror. Their foolishness is ours. May we repent.
When was the last time you prayed asking nothing except to praise God for who He is? When was the last time that you prayed requesting for nothing for self but only for others? When was the last time you thanked God in the middle of suffering and adversity for the privilege of demonstrating your faith? Such questions may make us uncomfortable, but with the beginning of this story, we see that James and John come asking selfishly rather than having the heart of a servant.
A Heavenly Response
Jesus’ response to all the disciples isn’t difficult to understand. It is difficult to implement. First, I want us to notice that Jesus compares the world’s view with God’s view. The world’s view is to rule over others. In fact, Jesus uses the word “Gentiles” to describe the world’s view. This is a reference yet again to the fact that Jesus will die at the hand of Rome. The Gentiles will rule over Jesus. This is the way of the world. Second, notice that in making the comparison, Jesus is accusing the disciples of thinking like Gentiles. Verse 43 begins with a negative which is indicative that his disciples are thinking just like the Gentiles. The real road to greatness is found in serving not ruling. This is radical. It was radical then and it is radical now.
Plato wrote “How can one be happy when he has to serve someone?” Same word as the word that Jesus uses. Don’t think of this as a slave. Different word. A servant is one who advances the agenda of another while sacrificing their own agenda. Plato was saying it was better to be in charge than serving another. Jesus says that in his kingdom, serving others is the will of God. As one writer eloquently put it “At no place do the ethics of the kingdom of God clash more vigorously with the ethics of the world than in the matters of power and service.” True greatness in God’s kingdom does not involve personal honor but unrewarded service. This is where it becomes difficult. Serving means that we do not seek a reward. Serving means that we do not seek acclaim. Recognition is for those who think like this world thinks. Serving is for those who think like God thinks.
To prove his point Jesus holds up his own demonstration of service. The disciples are looking for a regime change. Jesus will offer up his body as a substitute for all. Jesus isn’t thinking about ruling from the position of greatness; he is modeling how to sacrifice for the benefits of others. This is not about getting what you can get out of life. This is about dying to self. This is not about power. This is about taking a position that no one wants.
We think too much like our culture. We applaud strong leadership and personalities. We applaud those who exhibit power rather than seeking out those who are quietly giving of themselves for the benefit of others. To serve as Jesus served means to serve with gladness and thankfulness. Chick-fil-A servers respond with every request with the same words “my pleasure.” When you see a smile that accompanies the words, there is a genuineness about the phrase. To serve others means that we smile. It means that we make God look wonderful and attractive. It means to act and speak with a heart that finds pleasure in following God. To serve with a sour disposition is to detract from God. Surely we understand that serving at times is not pleasant (think Jesus and the crucifixion) but glory follows suffering. We can grouse and complain and mumble under our breath or we can find real pleasure in following God. Which is it for you? As Jesus said, if you want to see what serving looks like, then watch me die. No smile, but listen to his words—Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world (John 17:24). We want to make God look good. May he be seen through us.
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