What an unexpected surprise to have the first coronation of a British monarch in 70 years be a lesson in servant leadership. I bet you weren’t expecting that — I wasn’t. Of course there was plenty of regalia as would be expected, but the emphasis from start to finish was on the words of Jesus, “The Son of man came not to be served but to serve.” (Matthew 20:28) Whether he does it or not, time will tell, but King Charles III at least chose the right model of leadership.
This was one of the main reasons Jesus was not recognized as the Messiah. He did not allow attention to be placed on Him, but He emptied Himself of all vestiges of royalty, even though He was the King of kings and Lord of lords, and took upon Himself the form of a humble servant made in our likeness, and walked among us as one deeply concerned about the poor, hungry, sick, blind, deaf, dumb, lame, and demon possessed. He walked among them and wherever He went, He did something to better their condition. He came to serve, and He told us to do the same.
He washed His disciples’ feet to show them what to do if they wanted to be great in the kingdom of God. Want to be great? Get down on your knees and wash each other’s feet. Want to be first? Get to the end of the line. Want the best seat at the table? Pick the one farthest away.
Jesus showed us how to lead: you serve. It’s not about us. It’s about the people we are serving. It requires that we get outside of ourselves — that we get in someone else’s shoes. Turn the other cheek; go the extra mile; if they want your shirt, give them your coat also; love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Does that sound like someone who’s lording it over someone else? No, it sounds like someone on the other end of the hierarchy. That’s what Jesus has in mind for us.
But this is not just our standing in life. We don’t just bring up the rear. This is how we lead. We lead with ultimate humility. We lead among the lowly; they are the ones who know their need. If we are crowned at all in this life, we are crowned to serve.
John Fischer The Catch 
Today’s message tells it like it really is and I cannot improve on that except to say I hope we can all learn from Jesus to do our best to serve others as much as possible no matter what. Serving Jesus each day is the best service of all when we serve folks.
Amen!
Big Amen to this Pastor John: “If we are crowned at all in this life, we are crowned to serve.” And my old mentor in Amway Brad Doyle (RIP) reminded me that he told me in God’s Kingdom he was not a Diamond!
To this day I am impressed with his humility to say that – and PLUS to live it out! A great example as you & Marti are of Servant leaders!
Guess what God counties to watch over me & bless me in my Amway Biz, when I know that I know I DON’T deserve it! Yet by the grace, love and mercy of our God He guided me to my new Sponsors who are also great examples of kind, thoughtful Servant leaders – yet they are Double Diamonds Bob &Angie – meaning not only did they sponsor 6 (An Amway Diamond) and help make more time & money – they helped 6 more for a total of 12.
PS Years ago I read a great book “The Double Diamond Principle” it discusses how Jesus was a Double Diamond – in He “sponsored” 12 and one quit… LOL 🙂
Jesus said that he came to serve not to be served. To serve requires humility, to be served alludes to being extolled for doing such good deeds and that is why you do them to gain the limelight.
Maybe someone can enlighten me with this thought. A servant is not necessarily humble, but servant leadership assumes that. A servant gets paid for what is considered a low socio-economic job, and while doing his job may not be one bit humble and may resent his/her station in life.
When Jesus washed the disciples feet he was showing them that no job should be beneath them. They had just been arguing who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom, so the lesson was spot on. It is arrogance that Christ was addressing because that was the disciples “servant” at this time..
The key word to me is humility. It is our humility that makes us be kind, loving and encouraging to others not just being a servant. To me, it is the attitude of humility that determines whether we serve as Christ models. it is through humility that all the virtues Christ extols flow freely.
Can someone help me with this thought? To me servant and serving are two different entities. The word servant leadership has become over used and not questioned.
Hi Peter,
I remember one of John’s posts when he was writing the Fischtank for Saddleback Church many, many, many years ago. I don’t remember the article itself but I do remember the joke he included.
It went something like this:
There was a man who was awarded a medal for his humility.
Unfortunately, he got it taken away for wearing it.
You’ve hit the nail on the head, Peter, in breaking down the nuances of what defines a servant.
You’re correct in your statement that the term “servant-leadership” is overused and abused. The term implies a humble, meek, and thoughtful demeanor combined with the strength of wisdom, experience, and vision.
The emphasis, though, is usually placed on the servant part which really sounds good and convincing, a term of endearment.
And when we need that individual to switch hats and make tough decisions, then we want the leadership skills to shine through.
It’s great for public relations and adulation.
But does any of it hold up to Jesus’s example or instruction?
Not if they’re wearing that humility medal for all to see.
I am convinced that there have been (and currently are) true servant-leaders out there who, in honest humility, emulate Jesus as guided by the Holy Spirit. However, we won’t know about them because they don’t make a lot of noise; they’re not in the limelight; they rarely bring attention to themselves.
Yet, they’re content to simply satisfy His will and truly serve others just for the pleasure of it.
And yes, there are those servants and leaders out there who do their work grudgingly or for praise or simply for a paycheck or a promotion. They may be very good at what they do – and they may even know they’re good at what they do – but their heart isn’t really into it because the attitude of Jesus hasn’t taken ahold of their heart. Jesus can still use them as servants and leaders but they won’t know the joy of what it means to serve in the Name of the Lord.
That day for them may eventually come.
There was an article from The Seattle Times printed on Easter Sunday that I’ve held onto just because. Perhaps you’ll get something from it.
Here are couple of paragraphs:
“There were men around me then who were stronger…. those who could preach with the edginess and bite of Chris Rock… and the authority of a pope. Leaders in my church and in my family seemed to have the answers…”
“Such a faith is strong, self-righteous, muscular, unquestioning, crass,— and simplistic. This may have been our past, but it cannot be our future. Sometimes the world does not need attractive, powerful evangelists as much as it needs people who take a crucified Savior seriously.”
Here is the entire article.
“A return to a faith of humility over flash”
by Luuk Van De Weghe:
https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/a-return-to-a-faith-of-humility-over-flash/
I don’t know if any of this satisfactorily answers your question(s) but I hope it helps somewhat.
Shalom, Peace to you…
🙂
I enjoyed reading your comments my brother bobinsteattle….
Bob, it is just affirming to not be the only one with a contrary to the culture thought. It is thoughtfulness that creates questions. Thank you.
Yes, you helped a lot in your thoughts and examples.
As an employer interviewing prospective employees this is what I did;
1. i am going to ask you one question. Are you ready?
2. If I asked you to clean toilets would you do it?
Usually the answer was No: I thought this was a landscape company: You got to be kidding and the like. Those that answered yes were immediately hired. Never regretted hiring any who answered ‘yes’.
To you and the Catch audience, Numbers 6:24-26. (I love the translation that says that God smiles at us.)
Plz excuse me brother Peter I could be wrong I often am, yet once heard a great sermon about doing what you just did above in give Scripture verses but NOT quote them forcing others to look them up! B/C not everyone has a Bible on readily available.
So please consider maybe, just maybe thinking about others and being a good servant leader and give them: Numbers 6:24-26 – “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
PS and I am a good example b/c my place needed some work my brother-in law was kind enough to help me prepare for it, yet he also moved my 2 Bibles to where I simply don’t know and he is on vacation in Mexico so I had to Google….
Numbers 6:24-26 (New Living Testament):
“May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.”
Glad to be of service, Peter (although that sounds kind of self-serving given the topic of this exchange!).
Also, I have a couple questions for you:
Were you able to access the Seattle Times article?
I’m never certain that some of those links will actually go all the way through unless one agrees to subscribing to their service.
If the article did not open up, I’ll be glad to do the ol’ copy & paste for you!
How is Jane, your wife, doing? Are you holding up okay?
Paula and I just returned from the Midwest so she could visit – probably for the last time – her older surviving siblings while they can still remember each other and/or, also, before one of them dies.
The memories of these older folks may lapse but the photos and stories will be remembered, thanks to the efforts of the nieces, nephews, and other younger folks who took the time to visit, record, and simply be present for us.
Thank God they understand and can utilize the technology that, to us, is the stuff of science fiction!
I pray, of course, for Jane’s healing and that you two will be enveloped by His Shalom, Peace…
🙂
Ohhh brother bobnearseattle: got the biggest chuckle over your comment of: “Thank God they understand and can utilize the technology that, to us, is the stuff of science fiction!” LOL 🙂 because of the truth I can easily see in it!
Bob, I appreciate the interchange. Yes the article from the Seattle Times came through loud and clear. I have never yet had one of your links not work so far. It is good to wonder though because there is always a first time when something doesn’t work. Will not comment on this article because that is whole conversation in itself. It does make me wonder what caused a secular media outlet to print this. Maybe God had something to do with it.
Jane is steadily declining. You pray for her total healing, Thank you. In addition I try to start everyday strengthening myself in the Lord, so that we can both manage to go through this ordeal. About a month ago she was getting more and more depressed, not getting out of bed and doing a lot of crying about her condition. She feels ashamed, due to her upbringing, that she has this condition.
I used what is called tough love. In no uncertain terms but not abusively, I told her that from now on I was going to get her out of bed whether she liked it or not, and I would help her do things around the house, like always. Secondly I told her to stop crying. I used to tell my kids, you are not hurt. Stop Crying. If you are hurt crying is fine do not cry if you feel sorry for yourself. Interestingly one of my sons came over a few days later and more or less said the same thing. I told her that I had to change my attitude about my physical condition, to a thankful one because God /Jesus overcame the world, Now we talk about being thankful to God about cleaning up this sinful and messy world. Unfortunately we have to take a lot of hits before our death or Christ comes again. Gazing on Jesus like the Israelites were told to look at the snake on the pole. You got bit by the snakes on the ground but were healed if you gazed at the snake on the pole. The result of tough love for Jane is a different more positive approach to life. I thank God for that, even when he uses tough love on me. She just gave me a kiss as I was typing this. She is more loving now than before the dementia. It is good to forget your past, especially that you do not let the traumas of the past make who you are today. Life is bitter sweet in all our ailments and circumstances
Am also in the process of doing a ‘farewell tour’ among relatives and friends. We have some left. Jane has a brother in the mid west of Canada and on the east coast, It does not look promising so far because travelling by air has got me somewhat concerned . We visited a cousin of hers by car and stayed in hotels, she gets disoriented during the night if in unfamiliar surroundings, so I want her close to me. The cousin lives on a farm and we had an excellent visit. Anyway to me all of this is to be done in God’s timing. Thankfully God has a close relationship with me and he keeps me doing what He wants. This often means disagreeing with family advice. The family has learned to give advice as a suggestion and not as a command. Sure helped lower the emotional level. I have sons, men always want to fix things. That is good but so is waiting for the right time.
I notice Bob that you and Paula also are having a farewell tour. Personally’ it helps me put a final touch to this life before going to heaven. My prayer is that God helps us to finish strong in the faith and that all the assignments God has for us will get done. I get the sense that God will grant me that among other things.
As to the memories of older folk…we had a sports stadium here in Edmonton called Clarke stadium. Mr. Clarke was a mayor here some 100 years ago, who knew? Did a lot of good for the city, but was also a racist. We also have Wayne Gretzky Drive and Mark Messier Trail as major road ways. I would say that the memory of those hockey greats are not as strong either. Soon they will be just named streets or roadways. I do not need or want to be remembered except as a person who loved God dearly and live by the ‘choice of life which is found in obedience out of love for God’, That too will not be remembered 40 years from now or sooner.
So I have questions for you Bob? How is your loving of Paula going? Does she still look like a mummy? What does reflection on your marriage give you in seeing God’s hand on both the good and the bad? Are you writing your memoirs? Do not sanitize them if you are, but do weigh if you want to expose all.
Pray for you and Paula and Mark Seguin as well as the rest of the Catch community.
May the Three in One bless you, smile on you and give you peace.
Peter
Hi Peter,
Thank you for asking about Paula.
The wrappings and casts are removed, her “mummy” days are now past, and her last appointment for hand therapy is next Monday.
Our daughter was thinking of getting her a suit of armor for Mother’s Day but it would probably rust in our western Washington climate and, also, simply because we don’t like to polish silver!
Paula is doing as well as expected at this stage in her Alzheimer’s and our trip to Lancaster, OH., North Liberty, IN., and Evanston, IL. was a “healing balm” of sorts for her and her remaining two older brothers (one of whom also has early-term dementia).
The recollections shared, the photo albums pored over, the laughs, the tears, the time together, the last goodbyes…
It all may be forgotten soon by my wife and her brothers but at least their adult children have captured these moments on their electronic devices. I hope they’ll share these moments and memories with their children and grandchildren.
Like you, God is stretching me in ways for situations that I really didn’t plan for or felt there’d be plenty of time ahead in which to prepare.
In hindsight, though, I’m fairly certain that had I been confronted with these challenges head-on twenty or more years ago my pride, fear, and immaturity would have altered my life-path for (probably) the worse. I wouldn’t have been able to handle similar developments and emotions in as responsible or serious a manner.
So even though I still feel ill-prepared to face the looming inevitable outcome, God has graciously used these last couple of decades (despite apathy and protestations) to help me navigate these deepening darkening waters, to be where my wife needs me to be at this time in our lives together.
She leans on me. I MUST lean on Him.
I do admit that I struggle a little bit with resentment and impatience and feelings of helplessness and anger along with some personal self-flagellation. But, praise His Name, God is still being gracious, patient, and working with me even though I gripe at Him sometimes and feel frustrated by circumstances that I’ll never be able to control.
Even though the odds are overwhelmingly poor, I still pray for healing – or at least a cessation of further decline.
I wish I could post pictures because when Paula smiles you could never tell she’s afflicted with a mind-destroying malady.
She smiled a lot when we were with her family.
🙂
Shalom, Peace…
Thank you Mark, I forgot that important detail. I find when I just read the verse location, I do not look it up.
Shine on you is sometimes translated smile on you. God is doing which ever one your prefer on you or both. Enjoy!!!
You are welcome Peter…