by DR. GEORGE KALARAS
To appreciate the revolutionary nature of Jesus’ teaching about servant leadership one must keep in mind the disciples’ Jewish and Greco-Roman world. This can help Christian leaders understand the challenges they face today as well. Though today’s culture differs from that of first-century Palestine, the difficulties in accepting the servant-leader model have not changed. The disciples’ expectations for a Messiah were unquestionably like those of any other Palestinian Jew at that time, focusing on the hope of God’s kingdom to replace the power and control of the Roman Empire. The image of a suffering Messiah, though predicted in Isaiah 52:13-53:12, was not understood by them. When Jesus revealed the severity of His suffering, He used the present tense: “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” (Matthew 20:22) “
The “cup” (a reference or allusion) was a common Jewish metaphor generally for one’s appointed destiny (Psalm 16:5) therefore, the disciples should have understood this based on their insider knowledge but they had great difficulty accepting this metaphor in a culture that valued honor and sought to avoid shame at all costs. Jesus said that leadership positions would be gained through the path of sacrifice and suffering, but, being crucified like a common criminal was considered in first-century Palestine as the most shameful kind of death sentence. Despite these cultural indifference’s “Jesus directed His disciples to pursue the lowly position of a servant (διάκοvos) and a slave (δούλος). The latter was the most servile term for a slave to both Jews and Gentiles. The Greek term δούλος and the Latin servus were associated with the lowest class of society, even degradation or abuse.”
At the heart of sin is a self-centeredness attitude and a desire to be seen by others. In addition, most models of leadership in secular settings reward those who are self-promoting and “climbers” of the corporate ladder. Many leaders impulsively seek out positions of control over others and try to avoid showing weakness or vulnerability. Not surprisingly, this pattern has also influenced many church leaders. Many intentionally seek power, honor, and positions of control. Like the Disciples, they measure success with titles, one’s position in an organization, or the size of one’s salary. By contrast, Jesus is the greater example of servant-leader and of powerful leadership. A servant-leader does not avoid leadership. Instead it is a different kind of leadership, one committed to meeting the needs of others. And much like first-century slaves, true servant leaders give up their rights for the sake of others.
Hutchison, C. J. (2009). Servanthood: Jesus’ Countercultural Call to Christian Leaders. Bibliotheca Sacra,Vol.166, Pg. 53-69, (2009).