When A Servant Is More Honorable Than A Leader

The greatest among men may be the least before God.

Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called friends of the people.” But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? Tho one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. Luke 22:25-27

I prided myself about doing God’s will. But how much do I truly understand what God’s will is?

I aspired to be a leader in God’s plan to lead God’s people. But how can I be a leader of God’s people? Only the Almighty Lord God of Abraham can truly be the leader of His people. I am chosen for Christ’s glory to be God’s servant to serve God’s people, His church.

Leadership projects an arrogant image because when I am a leader or when I believe I am a leader, I will lord over people. On the contrary, if I am a servant, I am humble that I can serve God by serving His people. I dare not lord over God’s people because I remember that I am merely His servant. My Maker decides what and who I am.

Let’s examine and study the leadership icon of the Bible, Moses. Moses took 40 years of negotiating with the Egyptian Pharaoh before God’s people were granted freedom from Egypt. And let’s not forget the plight Moses suffered causing displeasure to God for complaining for the Israelites in the desert resulting him missing out setting foot in God’s Promised Land. Next, we have a look at Jesus, the son of the living God. Being a servant of God’s will may require us to die for our worst enemies, getting spat at, washing feet, and being accused of wrong doing albeit innocent; and that’s just to mention a few. Or are we only interested in selective responsibilities like teaching people (where we can show off our knowledge and intelligence), supervising and controlling people (where we can be pompous over our gifted influence), always forgetting that it’s the Holy Spirit equipping us with power and abilities to accomplish God’s will.

I pondered over a few points- To be a servant means observing total obedience to God’s instructions which are mostly insensible sacrificing any opportunity of displaying my talent, knowledge and intelligence which I often thought are wise. Do I only want to lead in comfortable surroundings or serve with constant endurance of misfortunes? Am I prepared to walk and work where the Holy Spirit assigned me? Am I prepared to serve if there is no recognition from men? And am I prepared to serve without any form of monetary gains?

I have, through my discreet observance that those who carry the title leaders always flaunt their talents but those who are true servants of the gospel hide modestly their obedience in offering to serve, remembering that they are dust and their potentials are the work of the Holy Spirit. A servant serves with the knowledge that it is God, himself who does His own work in the power of the Holy Spirit. A servant serves honoring God with his obedience. A servant serves remembering that he is only dust, and a vessel in God’s salvation plan for His glory.

A leader is an honorable rank among men whereas a servant bears resemblance of Christ’s humble stature.

So why do we aspire to be leaders when there is more honor to be a servant.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was god, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a servant and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him a name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

If you aspired to serve for the honor and glory of God, the Father, serve with the humility and love that Christ has filled you in the power of the Holy Spirit. And please do remember this, whether you are serving as a leader or a servant, it is Christ at work in you in the power of the Holy Spirit who equipped you and gifted you with the abilities, lest you boasted and robbed God of His glory. Do not be critical of who and what you are in God’s service for God will reward you for your obedience and faithfulness.

May God who is in Christ Jesus help me to serve Him with the same attitude as Jesus Christ who alone loves me at the cross. Teach and help me each day to offer a glass of water to the people you placed in my midst with the love and humility you have filled my heart. Teach me and grant me an understanding servant’s heart that I am always serving under a Great Leader who has set an example as a Great Servant. May my Lord Jesus help me to draw faith from Him to live my earthly life for His honor and glory?

Bless the reader of this message with a passionate and humble heart to serve you my Saviour Lord.