LUKE 22:24-27 SERVANT LEADERSHIP

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

LUKE 22:24-27

(See also Matthew 20:20-28,

Mark 9:33-37, Mark 10:35-45,

John 13:4-15, Philippians 2:5-8)

Luke 22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

Susie: The apostles switch gears from pondering which one of them might be a traitor to arguing about which one of them is the greatest, the foremost person in Jesus’s select inner circle of followers.

Susan: They wanted to know who would be His right-hand wing-man, who would be second in command. Like Joseph was second only to Pharaoh, they wondered who would be second only to Jesus. At an earlier time, John and James (the sons of thunder as Jesus called them) had asked Jesus who would sit on His right and on His left in the Kingdom of God. He replied that it was not within His authority to grant those positions:

Mark 10:40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

Luke 22:25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

Luke 22:25 (AMPC) But Jesus said to them, The kings of the Gentiles are deified by them and exercise lordship [ruling as emperor-gods] over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors and well-doers.

Susie: The Romans worshipped Caesar as a god. Many of these Gentile kings insisted on being called “benefactor” or “protector of the people” when, in fact, they were tyrants who used their subjects for their own benefit.

Susan: Caesar was not interested in winning friends and only wanted to influence them to do his own bidding. He was a pure narcissist.

Susie: Jesus had never behaved this way toward His followers. He had always taken care of them and put them first above Himself.

Luke 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

Luke 22:26 (TPT) But this is not your calling. You will lead by a different model. The greatest one among you will live as one called to serve others without honor. The greatest honor and authority is reserved for the one who has a servant heart.

Susie: In the Jewish culture, the firstborn son received the greater portion of the inheritance and reigned over the younger brothers. The youngest brother would serve all those older than himself, being relegated to the lowliest tasks.

Susan: Jesus explained that His paradigm, His model, was exactly the opposite of the Jewish family or the Gentile kingdoms. The disciples, and all His followers, are to be servants without jockeying for a prestigious position. They were to turn the cultural norm upside down.

Susie: The greatest rewards would be for those who willingly chose the role of servant.

Susan: Jesus constantly demonstrated this type of leadership during his ministry. Humility is the highest and best attitude for a follower of Jesus to exemplify.

Susie: John’s gospel recounts how Jesus demonstrated this very concept by washing the disciple’s feet, a task normally reserved for the lowliest of household servants.

John 13:4-5 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

Susan: After washing their feet, Jesus shared that He wanted them to follow in kind by ministering to each other’s basic needs.

John 13:14-15 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

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.

Susan: While Jesus lived here on earth, it was His purpose to serve even to the point of dying on the cross for our sins. He offered Himself up as the final, ultimate, sacrificial Lamb to redeem us from sin and death.

Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Susan: We are to have the mind of Christ. The attitude of a servant. Read the verses from Philippians above carefully to see exactly to what extent Jesus served us even though He is the Creator and we are merely His creation.

Matthew 20:28 . . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Ponder this and Apply it: Jesus’s example to us was to put others’ needs above our own. To be servants to the point of sacrificing our own desires in order to meet the needs of others. We get so caught up in being the best, the top dog, that we often forget those who are still struggling. At some point, we may have needed a hand up. How often do we remember to extend the same courtesy to others? Remember the JOY principle:

Jesus first,

Others second,

Yourself last.