My brothers and sisters in Christ, today I want to talk to you about servant leadership. In a world that often values power, prestige, and authority, the concept of servant leadership may seem counterintuitive. But as followers of Christ, we are called to lead in a different way – a way that reflects the heart of our Savior, who came not to be served, but to serve.
In the book of Mark, Jesus tells his disciples, "Whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:44-45). Jesus himself set the ultimate example of servant leadership, humbling himself to the point of death on a cross for the sake of others.
In Philippians 2:3-4, the apostle Paul writes, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." This is the essence of servant leadership – putting the needs of others before our own, and leading with humility and compassion.
As leaders in our homes, workplaces, and communities, we are called to follow the example of Christ in serving others. This means listening to the needs of those around us, offering a helping hand, and leading with integrity and grace. It means being willing to sacrifice our own desires and ambitions for the greater good of those we lead.
In Matthew 20:26-28, Jesus tells his disciples, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." As followers of Christ, we are called to lead with a servant's heart, following the example of our Savior who laid down his life for us.
So let us go forth from this place, committed to leading with humility, compassion, and selflessness. Let us strive to be servant leaders, reflecting the love and grace of our Savior in all that we do. And may we always remember the words of Jesus, who said, "The greatest among you will be your servant" (Matthew 23:11). Amen.