Jesus is…our example of how to lead.

Scripture: John 11:46–48, 53–54; 12:9–12, 19; 13:4, 8, 13–17; Mark 10:32–38, 41–45

In the kingdom of God, leaders lead for the benefit of the followers, not the leader. In the kingdom of God, the King is willing to give his life for his subjects.

Leadership = influence. – Jesus called this influence “salt” and “light.”

Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG) Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

BIG idea - Our love for God is best demonstrated when we’re serving others.

Jesus came to introduce something brand-new to the world, for the world. The world operated from the Top Down [The kingdom Jesus introduced was Upside Down

John 12:12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. [The stage is set. Emotions are high. Jerusalem is filled with spies and expectant fans. Jesus begins his final trip to Jerusalem.]

Mark 10:32–38, 41–45 - 32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way . . . 32 Again... [This wasn’t the first time.] 32 he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. 33 They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”

[What was he talking about? It was unimaginable, given the momentum. There was a crowd following them, and one was waiting for them in Jerusalem. Besides, he had raised Lazarus from the dead!]

35 Then... 35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” [“That’s too bad about the spittin’, mocking, flogging, dying, and all, but hey, we need a

favor.”]

[Like our prayers. “God, you’re great and all, but I need . . .”]

36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. [Gory would precede glory. 41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. [They were afraid someone was getting ahead of them. Not fair!] 42 Jesus called them together and said, 42 “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

[Then Jesus spoke four words that were so powerful… 43 Not so with you. [Leadership looks different in My kingdom.] 43 Instead, whoever wants to become great among you . . . [It’s fine to aspire to greatness; it’s fine to want to be a ruler/official.] 43 must be your servant,

[To us, “servant” is a concept. To the disciples, servants were a reality. They knew servants. 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. [Servant is the back of the line. Slave is the back of the back of the line.] 45 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.”

[They had no idea what was coming—that he meant it literally.]

Jesus was the King who came to reverse the order of things. [He would lay down his life for his subjects. And he would require his subjects to do the sam, not for Him, but for one another.]

They arrived in Jerusalem to much fanfare and shouts of “Hosanna” and proceed to go celebrate the Passover meal… It was at this meal that Jesus suddenly stood up . . .]

John 13:4, 8 - 4 . . . took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. [They panicked. Peter even pushed back! 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” [But he did. It took a while. No one spoke. They were all humiliated.] They knew what those hands could do.

[Jesus used this opportunity to illustrate the roadside chat. When he finished . . .]

John 13:13–17. - 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [He restates his “Even the Son of Man did not come to be served” idea in the next verse:] 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”[Guys, if you ever start thinking you’re somebody special, remember this night and go find some feet to wash.]

Leading like Jesus is not easy. It’s not intuitive. It’s not natural. But as Christians, we’re called to live it. Leading like Jesus requires us to ask this question each day, in every environment and in every relationship…

How can I help? - How can I leverage me for you?

[Jesus followers should ask it often. We should ask those who least expect it and who least deserve it.]

[In this way, we will be like our Father in heaven, who looked at our me-first world and asked, “What can I do to help?” Then he sent his Son, who did not come to be served but to serve.]

Jesus introduced the most powerful, transformational, and inspirational leadership principle on the planet. Every leader you respect practices it. The leaders you don’t respect don’t practice it. You can lead without it, but you won’t be a leader worth following unless you embrace it.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

How would you define greatness in leadership? Talk about one of the best leaders you’ve followed. What qualities made that person worth following?

Read Mark 9:30–36. Jesus redefines great leadership in Mark 9:35. Does his definition seem realistic and achievable in your world? Why or why not?

If Christians embraced Jesus’ words in Mark 10:42–45, how might it change the church’s reputation in the world?

If you redefined great leadership based on Jesus’ upside-down definition, what would you have to change about how you lead? What might you have to sacrifice? What might you gain?

Read Mark 10:42–43. Do you need to do a better job of serving someone you lead? If so, what would it look like to leverage your influence on that person’s behalf?

Imagine how your family, workplace, or church might be different if you began practicing Jesus’ upside-down leadership. As you consider these areas of your life, who do you need to ask, “How can I help?”