Core of Leadership

As you read this scripture, what does it make you think of? Have you ever felt that someone in church was competing with you? Have you every felt the pains of jealousy when someone else was blessed with a position or a promotion that you didn’t receive? Have you ever watched someone do things to self promote. This is what Jesus is addressing in this scripture with the disciples. As we begin to set the tone for the year. I wanted to begin by addressing the topic of Competition.  Pay attention to what Jesus says. He says, 

Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

“The cup” was a common Jewish metaphor that spoke about destiny. (Hutchinson, pg. 53) It could represent either blessing or judgment. In Jesus’ case he was asking his disciples if they could drink from the cup that was similar to His, are you willing to endure suffering for the position you are desiring? In James and John’s case, that meant suffering persecution. James was martyred and John was imprisoned. Now, I am not at all implying that you have to be martyred or go through the same hardship as the early Apostles. My first point is that leadership has a cost and that cost is a part of “the cup” of destiny. Jesus isn’t saying this to mean that all leaders have to suffer in the same way, but there is a cost to laying down your life for Jesus Christ. It won’t always be easy or comfortable. Are you willing to drink from “the cup”? 

The next part of what Jesus says to his disciples is often missed by leaders but is pivotal to our discussion of leadership.  Jesus says 

“You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.  But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[a] and whoever would be first among you must be slave[b] of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

James and John were living in a culture that valued honor. They valued it so much that they sought after power, authority, and privilege as this was a measure of their importance.  Jesus was setting a completely different standard than what the disciples were used to experiencing in their culture. He was about to die on the cross which was one of the most humiliating deaths one could die in their culture. This was the opposite of the glory and honor culture they were living in, it was counter-cultural. A King that comes and dies for others. In the same way, he asked his disciples to avoid seeking human glory. He was encouraging them not to seek the highest position, but the highest level of service. Spiritual authority and leadership in Jesus’ kingdom are demonstrated through servanthood. 

Jesus uses the phrase “exercise lordship over them or “lord it over” (v. 42) and he was focusing on the motive for power. In a culture where self-magnification was important, he was asking his disciples not to seek positions of authority or human recognition or glory. He was encouraging them to seek greatness in sacrificial service to others. Jesus views this as the true greatness. 

Application for Prophets: 

As a prophet, you will have tremendous opportunities for blessing and for rejection. Consider how Jesus’ words impact your life and spheres of influence. Where are some areas where you may be competing with others instead of serving them? Are you prophesying to be accepted? Are you competing with others for a position? If yes, it is time for the great divine resent called repentance. Then ask the Lord to help you to learn to serve those around you.

Application for all: 

Are you saying what God is saying about you? Did you know that God is the one who appoints leaders and gives spiritual authority (Romans 13). Have you ever considered that you are a leader appointed by God? How does that change how you view yourself? The greatest kind of humility comes from our obedience to God’s plan and destiny. We call ourselves what he is calling us! We are drinking “his cup” and agreeing with his plans. So, if the Lord has been calling you to something specific, it is time to move into it. 

Application for Prophets: 

As a prophet, you will have tremendous opportunities for blessing and for rejection. Consider how Jesus’ words impact your life and spheres of influence. Where are some areas where you may be competing with others instead of serving them? Are you prophesying to be accepted? Are you competing with others for a position? If yes, it is time for the great divine resent called repentance. Then ask the Lord to help you to learn to serve those around you.

Application for all: 

Are you saying what God is saying about you? Did you know that God is the one who appoints leaders and gives spiritual authority (Romans 13). Have you ever considered that you are a leader appointed by God? How does that change how you view yourself? The greatest kind of humility comes from our obedience to God’s plan and destiny. We call ourselves what he is calling us! We are drinking “his cup” and agreeing with his plans. So, if the Lord has been calling you to something specific, it is time to move into it.