John 13:4-5 He (Jesus) riseth from supper, and
laid aside his garments; and took a towel
(for servants), and girded himself. After that
he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash
the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the
towel wherewith he was girded.
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THE SERVANT'S TOWEL AND LEADERSHIP
Servant Leaders
It is not enough that we become leaders if we do not pay attention to the example that Jesus our Master laid out for us. Our Lord set aside His own garment and wrapped Himself with a servant's towel to wash the disciples' feet. As leaders often we see in ourselves a struggle with ego and self-worth. Sometimes we want to be esteemed as the leader of the group and recognized as such. We need not struggle with members in the body over position or status because our identity is truly recognized as was our Lord's in that He became a servant and washed their feet.
This lowering seems to be the basis for truly recognizing the anointing on a leader's life, not in lording over the flock of God. This aspect of a leader's life seems to be the identifying watermark of the Spirit of God on the leader's life calling.
Luke 22:27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
Recognizing The Motives Of Jesus In Servant Leadership
Jesus in Luke 22:27 is trying to tell the disciples something...
Recognize His point of view that the servant is more to be esteemed and honored than the one being served and honored at the table. This is reverse thinking in comparison to this fallen world who's leaders demand their lordship to be revered as the greatest! King Jesus set servanthood as the highest place on honor in His Kingdom! Honor in the Kingdom of God is equated and recognized by the servanthood that has been rendered.
Many of us have seen in our experiences the leadership heavy handed in authority yet lacking in servanthood. Servanthood is the breeding ground for respect, admiration, and honor. People simply desire to see the motives of Jesus in the leaders they are submitted to.
When leaders truly serve the group the people come to understand the depth of compassion which is being inspired from the Spirit in the under-shepherd's heart.
Talk is cheap but servant demonstration is where we see the separation between the true leaders and the want-a-bes. So when you see the leader defend against wolves... when you see the leader take the time to explain Bible passages for someone... when you see them fast... attend the flock and pray for the sheep... all of this speaks to the under-shepherd being a servant as Jesus was to His disciples washing their feet.
True servant leaders desire to lift up the flock to fulfill their callings successfully.
It befits all who take up leadership roles to lay aside their garment and take up the servant's towel in ministering to the needs of God's people of faith.
Servanthood becomes the leading role of leadership which is to be esteemed and honored in the body of Christ.. His church. At LWMORG we look for this aspect as did the New Testament church as a qualifying factor for those who desire to lead in this ministry.
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