Chance Faulkner is a regular guest poster on NoSuperHeroes with Does Knowing Equal Changing and the very popular, The Gospel that is Not. Chance returns with some reflections on a “new” style of leadership.
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Jesus is the greatest man who has ever lived and who will ever live. He is also the greatest leader who has ever lived and who will ever live. Jesus is the embodiment of authority and rule.
What does this authority look like?
Jesus’ authority is shown in a different way than we might expect–through his selfless, sacrificial servanthood of his life, death and resurrection.
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:5–8).
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 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 your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mt 20:25–28).
This is a ‘new’ kind of authority. It’s actually not new at all but it is new to us because we tend to have a faulty understanding of what true authority is and what it looks like.
The way we see Jesus’ authority functionally play out is in service.
– He gives.
– He builds up.
– He cares for.
– He serves.
– He sacrifices.
– He lays down his preferences, comfort and life in order to serve others.
Jesus is a servant King. True greatness and authority is shown by serving. He shows us what his kingship is like by serving. We see this throughout all of scripture.
This servant King was not born in a mansion but in a manger.
This servant King hung out with tax collectors and prostitutes and showed them the had dignity and value as human beings. He touches lepers who were considered unclean and not worthy of his time.
This servant King ate meals with his enemies cared for the outcasts of the society.
This servant King washed the dirt of the feet of his followers.
This servant King did not come to be served but to serve (Mk 10:45, Lk 22:27). His service is seen clearest by his willingness in going to the cross to bleed, suffer and die in the place of and for the sins of rebellious people so that they could find forgiveness. Because of his selfless sacrifice, rebels no longer are enemies standing outside of the city, but are sons and daughters sitting at the table joining into intimacy and enjoying him forever.
This is my King.
What does true authority look like?
Serving.Sacrificing.Bleeding.Dying.
The only one who deserved service from man, became a servant to man.
The only one who deserved a sacrifice from man, became a sacrifice for them
Pastors, Missionaries, Leaders.
Will you sacrifice, serve, bleed, and die for those you lead?
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You can follow Chance on his blog and Twitter. He also runs a photography business.