The Leadership Paradox: An Inverted Order

According to Matthew, “25But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them’ 26It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant. 27and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave” (Matthew 20:25-27).

What Jesus says about being great and being first stands in contrast to what much of the world believes. However, even secular business and other organizations have come to see that it is best to lead through service. The term “servant leader” has become very popular.

A popular idea of greatness is completely inverted by Christ. Many people think of greatness in terms of rulers who have authority and power. Jesus declared that true greatness comes through service. Greatness, as defined by Jesus, transcends authority. The leader may have authority and power, but the indispensable element is service. The great leader is the servant of those whom he leads.

Through the use of two triangles, we can contrast the ruler and his authority with the servant leader. To illustrate the ruler, draw a triangle with one angle, the apex, at the top. Then put the ruler, the person regarded as great, on the apex and the people being led below. The bottom horizontal line represents the people.

Jesus turns the triangle upside down. To illustrate His approach to the servant leader, draw an inverted triangle with the single angle at the bottom. Then put the servant, the truly great person, on this angle and the people above. The horizontal line, which is now at the top, signifies the people being served.

What did Jesus mean by the words “servant” and “slave?”? My next posts will deal with this subject.? What He meant is at the heart of all true Christian leadership.? As Christian leaders, we must be committed to what He said.

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