Submissive Leadership

Jesus shared a lot with his disciples that night in the upper room—not only his love for them and his call for them to lead as servant leaders. He told them again that he would be leaving, but not to be afraid, as he was going to prepare a place for them. He reminded them that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). He spoke about the role of the coming Holy Spirit and so much more. Let’s take a closer look.

Questions from your reading

• What do we learn about how Jesus prayed in the garden? (Matt. 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46)
• What lessons about prayer does Jesus model?
• How did the disciples respond during this time?
• What other questions are you still carrying?

Reflecting on your reading

What a night. Jesus is revisiting many of the key lessons he has taught these leaders over the past three and a half years, while also revealing new truths. One powerful illustration ties it all together—his picture of leadership in the movement as a vineyard. The Father is the vinedresser, Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches called to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Each has a role. The Father's role is to wash and prune. Jesus, as the vine, provides life-giving nourishment. The Holy Spirit bears fruit. Our job? To abide in the vine. That might feel like the least impressive task, but it’s the most essential. Abiding means remaining in Jesus and allowing the Spirit’s fruit to develop in and through us.

Leaders, your primary responsibility is to remain in Jesus. Stay connected to the vine—apart from him, you cannot bear spiritual fruit. That fruit grows as you dwell in the Word, spend time with the Father, draw close to the Bridegroom, and listen to his voice. If you want to bear kingdom fruit—abide in Jesus. The fruit that flows from that connection will last, and it will be directly tied to how deeply you are abiding.

After this teaching, Jesus warns them once more of the persecution to come. Then they sing a song and walk across the valley to the Mount of Olives (Matt. 26:30). He brings them to a familiar place—Gethsemane—a quiet garden on the lower slope. This is where he would often retreat after long days of teaching in the temple.

There, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John—the leaders among leaders—a little deeper into the garden. He tells them to stay awake, keep watch, and pray that they will not fall into temptation. Then, going about a stone’s throw farther, he kneels and begins to pray in deep anguish. Luke tells us his sweat became like drops of blood. Mark records him crying out:

“‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will’” (Mark 14:36).

The disciples may have heard this part of the prayer—or perhaps Jesus shared it with them after his resurrection. However they came to know, it made a lasting impact. Jesus was surrendering: “not my will but yours be done.” This is what the Father longs to hear from us too—every moment of every day. He waits for us to surrender our will and allow Jesus to live through us. The apostle Paul taught this over and over again—Jesus lives in us to live through us.

Jesus rises from prayer and returns to find his leaders asleep. It had been a long day, and they were exhausted. He wakes them and urges them to watch and pray, so they won’t fall in their moment of trial. He goes back and continues praying:

“‘My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done’” (Matt. 26:42).

We witness the Son, in his humanity, desiring a different outcome—but still fully submitting to the Father’s will.

He returns again and finds them asleep once more. At that moment, Judas arrives—leading a crowd with clubs and swords to arrest Jesus.

Applying what you’ve read

Each day, the Father waits to hear us say what Jesus said:

“Father, not my will, but yours be done in my life.”

Spend time with your disciples reflecting on what it means to surrender your will to God’s—and how to practise this daily.