One who serves

 

In the Easy-to-Read Version of Luke’s Gospel, chapter twenty-two, verses twenty-four through twenty-seven, we read,

Later, the apostles began to argue about which one of them was the most important. But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the world rule over their people, and those who have authority over others want to be called ‘the great providers for the people.’ But you must not be like that. The one with the most authority among you should act as if he is the least important. The one who leads should be like one who serves. Who is more important: the one serving or the one sitting at the table being served? Everyone thinks it’s the one being served, right? But I have been with you as the one who serves.

This passage speaks volumes and more people, especially leaders and elders in church, ought to pay closer attention to what Jesus is conveying to His disciples and to all of us.

Too many of our leaders persist in lording their authority over the “lesser” members of the church.

Apostle Peter himself warned,

I, who am an elder myself, appeal to the church elders among you…I appeal to you to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve. Do not try to rule over those who have been put in your care, but be examples to the flock. – 1 Peter 5:1, 2-3 (GNT)

Some, placed in positions of authority, use that authority as a power tool to wield over others, while some, who have genuinely received a call from God, seem to have forgotten from Whom the call came and thinking themselves superior to others, behave as though they have never read the Gospel accounts or studied the bible.

The division of members into important and insignificant, great and small does not belong in church and this should be exercised by every Christian wherever they find themselves.

But this display of the-great-providers-for-the-people behaviour is not exclusive to leaders in church but is too often seen in Christians who hold positions of leadership in the workplace, leaving co-workers to question their brand of Christianity.

Jesus tells us that we must not be like that; a leader is the one who serves and does not demand to be served.

When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17), it was to provide them an example of what true leadership entails.

he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. – John 13:5 (NIV)

Many erroneously believe that this was a ritual of sorts, but it was an act of genuine service; a necessary lesson to be learned. We must be careful not to brush aside Jesus’ teachings concerning service.

Beloved, as a follower of Jesus, you are obliged to accept all of His teachings, not as a mere act to perform from time to time but as a way of life. Wherever life may take you, you must be the one who serves, not begrudgingly but willingly, not haughtily but in authentic humility, keeping in mind always,

People who make themselves important will be made humble. But those who make themselves humble will be made important. – Luke 18:14 (ERV)

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “One who serves” ©2026 June 11, 2026