DAY 10 FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

DAY 10

2 Corinthians 5
21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Servant Leadership - The Ultimate Example

Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of spiritual leadership. When most people think of leadership, they picture a military officer giving out orders or an employer closely supervising his employees, making sure all the work gets done. These aspects can be part of leadership, but they are not the essence of spiritual leadership. Spiritual leadership is the opposite of what most people think. Spiritual leadership is servant leadership. Jesus Christ Himself taught us, "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" (Matthew 20:28).

Jesus was most definitely a leader. He was the leader of the twelve disciples and a much greater group of followers beyond them (Luke 10:1-17). Jesus did not lead by giving out orders or by supervising. Jesus led by being a servant and serving alongside of His followers. Spiritual leadership involves humbling yourself and doing the tasks that no one else wants to do.

However, at the last supper, Jesus humbled Himself and washed the disciples' feet. Afterwards he declared, "Do you understand what I have done for you? ... You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (John 13:12-17).

In Jesus' time, the act of washing feet was to be assigned to the lowest of servants. Imagine the thought of washing feet that had traveled for days in dusty and arid conditions, and unclean with animal feces. Could you humble yourself to do this?

One of the best memories I have of Journey To Dream is during Operation Care's 2007 Christmas event and watching some of the kids and Kimberly wash the feet of the homeless. This is what servant leadership should be! Humbling yourself to the lowest point in order to achieve a heavenly outcome.

To see those men, women and children have their feet washed with clean warm water then rubbed with lotion and then given new socks and shoes left an impression of mercy and grace and the love of God in their lives. It also left an impression of thankfulness and giving in the hearts of those who performed the acts of mercy.

Daddy, please make us comfortable at our lowest points in doing service, rather than always being on the places where everyone sees us. Give us a spirit of servant hood this day. Open up opportunties to show Your love and grace.

Blessings,

Jody