Good morning people who do not lord it over people for your own benefit.

Matthew 20:25-28 MEV But Jesus called them to Him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. Whoever would be great among you, let him be your servant, and whoever would be first among you, let him be your slave, even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Father has more to say to us today on the much needed truth about servanthood.

Jesus highlighted how the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them. He clarified what He meant by this: those who are great exercise authority over them.

Leadership is not wrong. The world needs leaders, and the church needs leaders. In fact, the Bible makes it clear that leading is a gift from God.

Romans 12:6-8 MEV We have diverse gifts according to the grace that is given to us: if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith; if service, in serving; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with generosity; he who rules (leads), with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 

But the gift of leadership – like every other gift – is not to be used for our own advantage. The gifts are for the benefit of others.

Therefore, if the gift that we use does not benefit others, is it really a gift?

Jesus contrasted Himself with the rulers of the Gentiles who lord it over others: The Son of Man (Jesus) did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.

There is a false belief that if you are important, you have the right to lead and lord it over people, and that others should serve you. Nobody will ever be more important than Jesus, and yet He was so secure in who He was and whose He was that He could humbly serve those whom He had created.

I think leadership looks quite different to how we often see it operate. It’s time for more servant leaders.