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Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for THERE IS
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25 July 2007
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<< Go
to "Servant Leadership" Menu...
ON SERVANT
LEADERSHIP
(Part 24)
HAVING ONE
MASTER, THE MESSIAH
August
20, 2011
Today’s reading: Matthew 23:1-12
Jesus says, “you have but one master, the Messiah.” (Mt
23:10b). We who are leaders in community or in the Church are all
servants of the one Master, Jesus. Thus we understand our calling
to be that of servant leaders. Our scripture reading today has
many lessons regarding servant leadership.
During Jesus time, leaders were exalted, while servants were of
the lowest standing. The leaders of society at the time, the
scribes and Pharisees, were often very conscious of their standing
and acted in order to earn praise. “All their works are
performed to be seen.” (Mt 23:5a).
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“They
widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.” (Mt
23:5b). Phylacteries were small boxes containing verses of
scripture, to be worn on the left forearm and the forehead.
Tassels were on the corners of one’s garment as a reminder
to keep the commandments. So their making these larger was to
make more noticeable the supposed evidences of piety.
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“They
love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in
synagogues.” (Mt 23:6). They were there to be seen and
admired.
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“They
love .... greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation
‘Rabbi.’” (Mt 23:7). “Rabbi” means literally “my
great one.” Accepting the greeting gave them a feeling of
superiority and pride.
Now
Jesus told them pointedly, “As for you, do not be called
‘Rabbi.’” (Mt 23:8a). Though servant leaders do teach, the
ultimate teacher is Jesus. Whatever knowledge or wisdom we have
comes from God. Whatever position of teaching authority we have is
a delegation by God. Even as we are placed in such position of
leadership and authority, we are all the same in being children of
God and disciples of Jesus. “You have but one teacher, and you
are all brothers.” (Mt 23:8b).
Jesus also says, “Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but
one master, the Messiah.” (Mt 23:10). While we as leaders may
have titles (which may be necessary to distinguish roles, for good
order in community), we are to know that we are all servants of
the one Master. Though we pastor people, it is a task delegated by
the one Chief Shepherd, and all the people, including the leaders,
are His sheep, totally dependent for their well-being upon God.
Then Jesus in one brief sentence resolves the oxymoron that is
“servant leadership.” “The greatest among you must be your
servant.” (Mt 23:11). Jesus does not deny the reality that some
are called to leadership and as such will be “great,” that is,
they will have authority, they will be submitted to by their
subordinates, they will be acclaimed for their good leadership,
they will be given places of honor in gatherings, and so on. But
they are afforded all those, in order that they might serve, and
serve more effectively. To serve as a leader requires authority
and the corresponding submission of people. To be acclaimed and
esteemed inspires more people to follow those who lead properly.
Now such acclaim can go to one’s head, especially as we all
struggle against the sinful flesh, prodded by the crafty enemy.
Knowing the true meaning of leadership to be servanthood is the
antidote. But it is so easy to lose one’s way, so Jesus adds a
stern warning. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but
whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”(Mt 23:12).
That seems easy enough to understand. We are to realize our
nothingness apart from God’s grace and strength. If we forget
that, God will remind us by cutting us down to size. This is to
keep us from going deeper into the sin of pride. It is a loving
act when God does that to us. Then, when we have been humbled, God
can again use us. And if we have truly learned the lesson, then
God can allow us to be exalted in our service.
Now Jesus said this teaching (Mt 23:12) a number of times in
different situations. We can learn more as we look at those.
Jesus told the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Lk
18:9-14a). We are not to be self-righteous in our actions,
especially when we go to pray, for in the presence of God we are
but dirty rags. We are to recognize our sinfulness, and that only
by the grace of God are we able to come before Him in worship. We
do not measure our piety by the wretched condition of others, but
by the holiness of God. God is pleased with those who have a lowly
servant’s heart. Thus, “everyone who exalts himself will be
humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk
18:14b).
Jesus told the parable of the invited guests and hosts (Lk
14:7-10). We are not to seek places of honor, but we are to take
the lowest place. We know that we are anointed as leaders simply
by the grace of God, not because of our own merit or
qualification. We are always aware how far short we fall of the
holiness of God and the accomplishment of His divine work. It is
up to God to exalt us if that is needed in our service. But even
if we are deserving of acclaim or recognition, when it does not
happen, we still truly rejoice, simply for the privilege of
serving God and His people. Thus, “everyone who exalts himself
will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be
exalted.” (Lk 14:11).
Now with servant leadership, we look not only at the proper
posture of leaders but also at the proper posture of those who are
led.
Servant leaders are not perfect. In fact, a great deal of growth
in spiritual maturity still needs to happen. They are still sinful
and weak. But if they are genuinely appointed by God, then they
are His instruments and His servants. They stand in His place.
They represent Him. They do His work.
How are people to respond to servant leaders who act more as lofty
leaders than lowly servants? How do they respond to those who
“preach but they do not practice” (Mt 23:3b)? Jesus makes it
clear, “Do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but
do not follow their example.” (Mt 23:3a). In other words, go and
follow the good teachings of bad teachers.
This is where subordinates sometimes fail. They look at their
leader, sees someone who makes mistakes or shows weakness in
certain aspects, and they decide to no longer obey or heed
whatever he is teaching. He may be teaching perfectly orthodox
Christian living, but they can only see the teacher. Or
subordinates might consider themselves more intelligent, more
experienced, better versed in scripture, even holier, and so
cannot submit to a lesser leader. Beware! You might become the
Pharisee in relation to the tax collector. You may be exalting and
not humbling yourself. You may miss out on the words and works of
God who uses any instrument, and certainly weak and imperfect
ones.
The other response of subordinates is on the other extreme. They
exalt their leaders. Because he is a good preacher, or a great
healer, or a magnificent Bible scholar, or is exemplary in many
ways, his subordinates begin to look on him as a demigod. They
follow everything he says blindly. They fall over themselves
trying to kiss his hand. When in conflict with another leader,
they immediately line up with him, without even looking at the
situation and seeking the truth. They consider themselves his
disciples rather than the Lord’s.
Now it is right and good to respect and honor exemplary leaders,
to give them places of honor, to speak highly of them, and so on.
But there are dangers when done in extremes. First, we make it
harder for the servant leader to remain humble. But second and
more importantly, we might be giving to him what is due to God.
Jesus says, “Call no one on earth your father; you have but one
Father in heaven.” (Mt 23:9). Everything that we are as servant
leaders is due to God. If we are called upon and given the great
privilege to serve God’s people, we are caring for His children,
not ours.
There are practical implications of all the above, for both
servant leaders and their subordinates. Let me cite just some of
them.
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In
community assemblies, unlike in secular fora, we do not have
seats of honor at the front facing the people.
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We
prefer to call our leaders not “heads” but “servants.”
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We
do not have pictures of our leaders plastered prominently on
offices, magazines, tarps, banners, etc.
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We
do not give, and certainly should not orchestrate, standing
ovations for talks or presentations, unless such have truly
been extremely outstanding (even then, appreciative applause
is sufficient).
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Leaders
queue with others for meals or other things, and do not have
to be accorded priority.
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We
have no need to put on our letterhead or masthead the fact
that we are recognized by the Church hierarchy. This touts
superiority over other Church groups. It is widening the
phylactery and lengthening the tassel.
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We
certainly should not claim we are anointed, as a way of
asserting authority and commanding submission. The expression
of being anointed comes from others who see that anointing,
not from us as a self-serving statement.
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We
do not wear insignia or regalia indicating rank.
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We
do not have our name plastered as the name of the ministry,
rather than or more prominent than the name of Christ.
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We
do not look to secular award or citations. If these are
accepted when given, it should be only for the purpose of
giving glory to God and advancing His divine work.
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We
greet each other as brother or sister, and never in secular
terms such as “Sir.”
In
Christ we live a life of contradiction. The first is last, the
greatest is the least, and whoever exalts himself will be humbled
while whoever humbles himself will be exalted. As servant leaders,
we go forth in the weakness and lowliness of a servant, but are
assured that we take on the very strength and glory that comes
from God.
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