NIV Spiritual Renewal Study Bible PlanSample

Leading Through Serving

When attempting to describe God, human beings have often conjured up an image of a hostile being who must be appeased, a disinterested deity who is uninvolved in our lives, or possibly a magical entity who can be manipulated through superstitious ritual. The Bible, however, reveals the most astonishing truth about God: Though he is the sovereign Creator and worthy of honor, God has come to us in the form of a servant, Jesus Christ. He became a suffering servant for his people (see Isaiah 53).

Immediately after Jesus’ teaching about going to the cross, the disciples began arguing about their place around Jesus’ throne. They wanted the places of honor and prestige. Jesus offered them places of humility and sacrifice.

In Mark 10 Jesus clearly teaches that the way of faith is also the way of service. Like the disciples, too many of us think that leadership equals power and prestige. Jesus teaches us, both by his life and words, that humility and servanthood characterize true leaders in his kingdom. In the eyes of God, greatness is measured not by where we stand but by where we kneel.