I thought we were concluding our study of effective leaders last week. However, over the weekend I was reminded of the most important quality of an effective leader: servitude. If you want to be an effective leader, you must be a servant first. 

“But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 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 your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20:25-28‬ ‭(ESV)‬‬ (emphasis added)

Jesus Always Served

We see Jesus serving others all throughout his ministry. Over and over again we read how he healed people, taught them about the Kingdom of Heaven, and provided for any and all needs. Even when I’m sure Jesus didn’t feel like serving, he still served. We see an example of this right after his cousin John the Baptist died. 

“Now when Jesus heard this (the death of John the Baptist), he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 

Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.”

Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. They took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:13-21‬ ‭(ESV)‬‬ (emphasis added)

Jesus Put His Feelings Aside to Serve

I am sure Jesus wanted to be alone to talk to his Father and mourn the death of his cousin. Remember Jesus was 100% human with 100% human feelings. He was likely feeling sad that his cousin was murdered. He certainly felt sad for his aunt and mother who would be mourning John’s death for sure. 

When Jesus saw the crowd, it says, “he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Jesus put away his desire to be alone and served the crowd. Not only did he heal the sick, he also provided them with dinner.  

Jesus Shows How to be a Servant

We see Jesus serving just hours before he was to be tortured and hung on a cross to die. Remember how Jesus washed the disciples’ feet? This was an act of service. You see, this job was always given to the person who was lowest on the social hierarchy. A slave or servant would be given the job of washing the nastiness off of people’s feet. Remember, they walked everywhere and their feet would get very, very dirty! Listen to what Jesus said after washing everyone’s feet (including Judas Iscariot’s):

“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” John‬ ‭13:12-16‬ (‭ESV) (emphasis added)‬‬

Who Will You Serve

Who has God placed in your life to serve? If you are married, you can start with serving your husband. How about the elderly neighbor who needs help from time to time. How can you serve him/her? Perhaps you can serve your child’s teacher. Ask the Lord who it is he wants you to serve, and then ask him to give you creative ideas on how to serve those people. Look for ways to serve in small ways. Remember big things often begin small. 

Go out there and show others how to be a great leader. Remember to serve those God has placed in your life to lead, submit to the authority he has placed over you, stand in the truth of what the Bible says when necessary, and above all, be gracious to those around you.