Not So Among You

Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors’. But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves?  

Luke 22:24-26 

Christ leads differently than others do. We have been considering His statement in the upper room on the night of His arrest and subsequent crucifixion. The passage before us also occurred that evening. In our text, Luke reveals that the disciples were arguing about which one of them would be considered the greatest. Christ takes the opportunity to explain the essential difference between the way others lead and His practice. He describes the others by saying, ‘And He said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors.’ He then says, ‘But not so among you.’ He goes on to explain, ‘…on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.’ This stands in stark contrast to the way the majority of human leadership operates. This is not the corner office, reserved parking place, head-of-the-table brand of leadership we so often observe. Rather the greatest leader is the one who serves most humbly. Christ set the example. If we understand Him, we will cease to find the other type of leaders impressive. Christ is the gold standard.  

O Great Shepherd of the sheep, 
we rejoice in the way You humbly lead. 
We praise You that You set before us 
a worthy example to imitate.  

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning