Not Greater

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, 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 should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.  

John 13:13-16 

We are not greater than the Christ we follow. As Christ was teaching His disciples the heart of servant leadership, He applied the lesson to them in plain language. He had already said, ‘For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.’  To that He added, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.’ Thus Christ declares that we who follow Him, as we imitate Him will serve in the same manner in which He did. This means we will not seek status, position, or preference. His lesson stood out in stark contrast to the religionists of His day. They loved to be recognized, lionized, and preferred to the seats of honor. Their religiosity was full of pride and self-righteousness. Christ’s approach to life and His leadership looked entirely different from theirs. Christ said that those who follow Him would not be greater than Him, but would imitate Him in servant leadership. If we follow Him our leadership will look the same as His did. It will stand out in stark contrast to much of what passes for leadership in our day. If we follow Him, we, His servants, will not be greater than our Lord.  

Our Lord and Our God, 
we rejoice in the humility of Your leadership. 
We praise You, that from You, 
we learn to humbly lead. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning