“All of you,
clothe yourselves with humility.”
1 PETER 5:5
Remember how James and John’s mother came to Jesus with a request? Was she one of those moms who encouraged her boys to get ahead, and saw Jesus as a means to that end? Perhaps so.
And when they couldn’t drum up the courage, she said, “Alright, if you’re not going to ask him, I will!” And kneeling down in front of Jesus, she asked for the moon.
“Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
Jesus tried to explain why this was not possible, and said to the two sons listening in:
“You don’t know what you are asking, Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
James and John answered enthusiastically:
“We can!”
When the other disciples realized that James and John were trying to work their way into key posts in Jesus’ coming regime, it did not sit well.
When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you.
Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
MATTHEW 20:20-28
Peter apparently learned from this incident, for by the time his first epistle was penned, he viewed humility in leadership as vital to the health of God’s people. There is no alternative.
This coming Sunday, Erik Thoennes will show us how the Chief Shepherd led by example, and how as a result, his under-shepherds, the elders, are to lead:
“….not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
not lording it over those entrusted to you,
but being examples to the flock.”
1 PETER 5:2-3
Be praying that as a church we would imitate Christ’s example more and more, and that from the elders to the staff to the deacons and trustees and committees and ministries and Sunday School – all throughout our flock, we would be characterized by humility.
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