S E R V A N T – L E A D E R S H I P

Mark 10:42-45

Who is someone from your sport, that if he was to walk in the room right now, we’d all feel compelled to give up our seats, to offer something to drink and to serve in any way possible?  Who would be deserving of such respect and admiration?

Jesus was certainly such a person in His day, but He refused such treatment.  Why?  We can read about His reasoning in Mark chapter 10 and verses 42 through 45, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

With each sentence, Jesus raised the price tag for leadership.
• He said that greatness comes through service of the team.
• He said that being first comes as we subject ourselves to everyone else.
• He now says that to be like Him, means self-sacrifice.

How does that happen in competition?  When you put your team’s success ahead of your personal achievement, that’s self-sacrifice.  When you prefer the team’s goals to your personal goals, that’s great leadership.  When you sacrifice your privilege in order to free a teammate to achieve, you’re leading like Jesus.

As you approach this day’s competition, do so with a predetermined will to lead through service and sacrifice.  Pay whatever it costs to free your teammates to achieve at their highest level of the season.  Be a team leader like Jesus and give your life as a ransom for many.

Bible Reading Plan:
Luke 10:1-16
I Thessalonians 3:1-6
Psalms 138
II Chronicles 1-2