A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves (Luke 22:24-27).
Who would have guessed! The revered apostles, the most important and privileged men on earth at the moment, are disputing among themselves as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. Regarded by whom – Jesus, the crowds or themselves – is not clear. It does seem clear, however, that they are wondering who among them has the reputation as the greatest apostle. They assume that the role of leader which the Lord Jesus has modeled so flawlessly will fall logically to the greatest one of them once Jesus is gone from the scene.
This disagreement happened on another occasion, also following Jesus’ prediction that he would suffer betrayal and be killed.
And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest Mark (9:33-34).
Indignation also stirred among their ranks when 10 apostles heard that James and John requested a special place at Jesus’ right hand in glory, obviously seeking prominence above the others (Matthew 20:20). The request actually came from their mother, but when Jesus asks James and John if they can “drink the cup I am to drink,” they answer with a confident, “Yes.”
Pride of Place and Prominence
While we’d love to believe that the disciples’ quarrels involved mere curiosity without self-promotion, it is clear that a desire for prominence motivated their bickering, or Jesus would not have advocated for a “not so with you” kind of leadership. Each of them anticipates that Jesus will identify them as the apostle who stands out as the greatest among all the others. Jesus probably confused them when he declared, “For he who is least among you all is the one who is great” (Luke 9:48).
No doubt the disciples were startled, if not perplexed, hearing this exhortation multiple times, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11; 18:14).
Such warnings, however, are a blessing. Jesus gives you a needed litmus test to scrutinize your motives for sin or righteousness, pride or humility. Healthy leaders – unlike the Gentile leaders who take impressive titles for themselves, need to be recognized, and assert their authority over others – will constantly ask themselves: In this matter, am I seeking or promoting my greatness, attempting to prove my worth? Does this attitude, action, or word further my reputation or God’s glory?
Leading as Servants
At one level, the apostles ask a fair question regarding the greatest among them. Someone needs to step into the leadership void created by Jesus’ departure, and commonsense dictates that it ought to be one of those whom Jesus chose to walk so closely beside him. Every organization needs a leader. Jesus acknowledges the concept of greatness and the role of leaders when he says, “Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves” (Luke 22:26).
In the heart of Jesus, these two callings – leading and serving – exist in perfect harmony, revealing a God who is simultaneously both king and servant par excellence (Isaiah 42:1; Luke 4:18). He directs, protects, defends, promotes, empowers, and provides for his people, condescending as the Lord on high to regard the lowly (Psalm 138:6) and whose gentleness makes his people great (Psalm 18:35).
Jesus our Servant-Leader
Jesus vividly demonstrates servant-leadership in his role as the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23; Psalm 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; Ez.34:11f; Micah 5:4; John 10). He guides, protects, and feeds his flock as their leader. The explicit ambition of a servant is to lead his flock beside still waters, into green pastures, in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23).
As servant, his heart pants after their welfare, not his own, proven by his serving them in the greatest way possible, at the immeasurable expense of his own well-being, He laid down his life for the sheep to accomplish their redemption (John 10:11). Jesus became nothing less than “a lamb led to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). Just as Jesus is both lamb and shepherd (Rev.7:17), so servant-leaders are both Jesus’ lambs (and thus because he sacrificed all for their eternal welfare they too are willing to sacrifice all for the flock), and his shepherds (Psalm 78:70-72).
Not-so-with-you leadership
What principles of servant-leadership do we learn from Luke 22:24-27? How does a not-so-with-you church elder exercise his God-given authority?
Servant-leaders regard themselves in relation to others as the least. Like servants, with a watchful eye toward serving others’ needs, they seek to bear the burden of their sheep’s welfare, asking not, “What can they do for me?” but rather, “How can my resources be used for their benefit.”
They regard others as Paul exhorts us: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more important than yourself…Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil.2:3-4)
Servant-leaders also regard themselves in relation to others as the youngest. The word as is key, meaning in like manner. It is the way they lead that is in view. Servant-leaders willingly become in their mindset as the youngest, who, by definition, can’t demand things of their superiors, implicitly trust in their providers, know they need correction, have to abide by the rules, look for someone greater to emulate, have to wait for exaltation, defer to those more experienced, yield to the will of the group, and possess limited rights (just as in our culture children cannot vote, drive, or purchase certain commodities until coming of age).
Godly leaders give up the right to be autonomous decision-makers. They understand their limitations, their dependence, their lack of omniscience, and their need of others, seeking to make decisions in consultation with those wiser than them. A longtime friend, who ascended to the highest ranks in corporate leadership, explained to me that he always asked his colleagues to critique his thinking, and he never made decisions except in collaboration with others on his team. Can church leaders emulate such humility?
Self-conscious Sacrifices
This kind of leader works practices careful listening to the concerns of those around and beneath him. To rule as the youngest, i.e., as a child, this leader self-consciously gives up the right:
to not be challenged or critiqued, thinking I’m always infallible.
to control others, treating them as at my disposal.
to be esteemed as omni-competent, maintaining a polished image.
to self-importance, as if I am more significant than others.
to be seen in a privileged light.
to glory in special titles.
to be the most important guy in the room.
to be viewed as indispensable to the cause.
to have my voice override all others.
to have everyone bow to my whims.
to not serve others, as if serving others was below me.
to not have my performance reviewed, as if I am untouchable.
Jesus exhorts leaders to become as the youngest because they are not naturally so inclined, and must intentionally work at it, consciously resisting the allure of the Gentiles’ style of ruling. When church leaders rule and shepherd with a not-so-with-you mentality, their flocks will see something of the glory of Jesus and joyfully follow where they lead.
Mike Sharrett is a retired PCA pastor who currently serves as interim pastor at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, Virginia.