Mark 10:35-45 (AKJV)

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40 but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Matthew 23:1-12 (AKJV)

23 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Leadership Defined...

In the above two texts from Mark and Matthew we see the heart of leadership defined. In these texts we see Jesus bringing definition to what actually constitutes leadership in the Kingdom.

We see by the questions that James and John ask in the Mark text what leadership is all about for them: recognition and power. We see in the Matthew text how leaders of that time had titles like father, rabbi and master and used these titles to draw people until themselves.

Today in Church culture our titles have become pastor, prophets, apostles, evangelists and teachers. In the Roman Catholic culture the titles are father, bishops, priests and pope. Sadly the titles that we often function under described what we do and not who we are.

True leadership is the HEART OF SERVANTHOOD.

In the texts above, Jesus spoke to the heart of what leadership really is. True leadership is the HEART OF SERVANTHOOD. Jesus was saying that leadership is not about power, position and title. It is about being willing to lay down your life for others. Jesus was the truest model of this, and demonstrated servanthood to the end of his life fulfilled purpose.

Jesus' life was the demonstration of what would need to happen within each of our hearts in order for the fullness of his Kingdom to come. It is really very significant that we understand that this idea of laying down one’s life was not about doing what the people wanted. He made that clear when he indicated that the religious leaders of his day carried themselves in a way to impress the people. The one who has ambition to be recognized, the one who loves the praises of men, the one who wants the position or title, the one who postures as having all of the answers is the one who Jesus identifies as one who has not embraced what leadership in the Kingdom is all about.

In contrast, Jesus' purpose in coming was to complete what he had been invited to do. He never assumed anything in what he did to be of his own initiative. The following scriptures reveal his heart in this:

John 5:19 (AKJV)

19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

John 8:29 (AKJV)

29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

This strikes at the heart of real leadership. And it was tested in the life of Jesus as the next verses reveal:

Matthew 26:36-42 (AKJV)

36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

The whole purpose of the Holy Spirit coming was to be in us like he was in Jesus, the one who would complete the following:

John 14:26  (AKJV)

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Jesus said that it was good that he would leave us, but that he would not leave us alone. The Holy Spirit would be the one who would lead us and guide us. He would teach us and show us the way.

Secure in his love and care we can serve without expectation.

Every member of the body is a leader in some way. However the fullness of that leadership can never be fully realized outside of finding our identity as beloved sons and daughters. Secure in his love and care we can serve without expectation. We can listen for his voice as he invites us into a journey of bringing encouragement, hope, financially blessing to others, the healing of people’s broken hearts and physically healing to their bodies.

As you serve with a willingness of heart, grace will emerge and it will become obvious to you and others as to how you fit. But no longer will it be about your own need for recognition or attention, it will be bringing Heavens reality to this earth as you function as an ambassador of the Kingdom.