The Last Supper was the prelude to the darkest hour of his life. He was going to die. It was Passover and he knew that he was going to be the Passover sacrifice. That’s a hard reality to swallow. But he was going to do so willingly.
As he is pouring out his heart to them, telling them how much he desired this last meal with them, and talking about his death which they didn’t really get, they started arguing. And the argument was the epitome of going against everything he had spent the last 3 years teaching them.
A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.
Was all his time invested in them futile? He was getting ready to die. And this?
Time for another teaching. He wouldn’t have many more opportunities.
Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
What a great teaching. Truly changing. He compares the way the Gentiles lead and the way they should lead. How do the Gentiles lead?
They used their position of leadership to lord it over others. It was a power trip for them. And that power was used to get those underneath their care to serve them.
Worse, they called themselves “Benefactors.” As in, “we do what we do for your safety and protection.” Not like we haven’t heard that before.
Jesus says plainly do not be like them (cf Mt 20:26).
Instead, he teaches that the one who serves is actually the one doing the greatest deed. Jesus was the highest leader, and leadership was about serving.
There are so many places of leadership in life – politics, work places, and marriage. What if those in these roles saw their role as places of sacrificial service? Serving those they lead and providing the environment to make them better? To create a place where those they serve can fulfill their own callings and place in life?
The world would change.
Jesus said leadership is not about being served, but to serve. He modeled that by sacrificing EVERYTHING on the cross. He didn’t get to live his life. He gave his life up so we could live.
That’s a true leader right there.