ESOCS Devotional 16 July 2021
TEXT: JOHN 13:1-20
MEMORY VERSE: “He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded” (John 13:4-5 KJV).
The above passage teaches us about a leadership style that is rarely practiced by some leaders, whether in the secular world or in the Church- Christlike Servant-Leadership Style. Jesus is the model servant. He showed this attitude to His Apostles. Seeing His master behave like a slave, must have confused Peter because during this time, washing guests’ feet was the job for a household servant when guests arrived. He did not understand Jesus’ teaching that to be a leader, you must be a servant using His standard as yardstick.
The qualities of Christlike Servant Leaders are: (1) They are motivated by the love to serve others. (2) They possess a security that allows them to serve others (“the insecure are into titles, but the secure are into towels”). (3) They initiate servant-leadership to others. Jesus started this, and hoped it would be passed down from the twelve apostles to others – John 13:12-15. (4) They do not want anything to hinder their relationship with God. (5) They teach servanthood by their example – John 13:15. (6) They lived a blessed life – Jesus reminded them that they will be blessed if only they obey Him in this lifestyle- John 13:17.
There are many lessons we can learn from this. When leaders serve like Christ, they add value to the people. Serving others sacrificially attracts them to you naturally. Servanthood is not about position, but service. The greatest service is stooping to serve others – Jesus stooped and stretched to serve. Leaders must go ‘counter culture’ to serve. Jesus served when He met the Samaritan woman, Matthew and Zacchaeus the tax collectors, and Mary Magdalene- a prostitute. They derived value from Him. Emulate Christ now.
- Identify the challenges – pride, people, etc. hindering leaders from adopting Christlike leadership.
- Ask God to help them overcome, and adopt imitate Christ.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Matthew 20:25-28; 25:40; Mark 9:35; Luke 22:25-27; Acts 6:1-7
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ESOCS Devotional 16 July 2021
