Reading: The Cross of Christ, pg. 278-287
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10.42-45
Neither self-denial (a repudiation of our sins) nor self-affirmation (an appreciation of God’s gifts) is a dead end of self-absorption. On the contrary, both are means to self-sacrifice. Self-understanding should lead to self-giving. The community of the cross is essentially a community of self-giving love, expressed in the worship of God and in the service of others. It is to this that the cross consistently and insistently calls us. Pg. 278
The lust for power is endemic to our fallenness.
It is also totally incompatible with the way of the cross, which spells service. Jesus’ affirmation that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” was startlingly original…His new community is to be organized on a different principle and according to a different model-humble service, not oppressive power. | Stott pg.280
How does Jesus’ example of power change the way we should view the leadership given to us in the workplace, home, and church? Are you living as a self-giving servant to those around you?
Lord, help us to see ourselves rightly. Let that self-understanding lead us to the self-giving life that You call us to. Help us to be servant leaders at home and in the workplace. Amen