Servanthood 

God on Monday
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Jesus sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all’ (Mark 9.35) 

Reflection

Jesus spoke these words after the disciples had been arguing about which one of them was the greatest. These disciples were following a leader who modelled servanthood and humility. But they get distracted by thoughts of their position. They start debating which of them was at the top of the pecking order.

Some environments thrive on competition and can help people excel. Examples can be found in sport, and in enterprise that is highly innovative and is operating in crowded markets.

But some forms of competition do more to create an atmosphere of division than improvement. They can include personal rivalry and power struggles within teams; a work culture focused on performance metrics; and the race to acquire status symbols.

As Christians, our aims should be different. They should not be about becoming the greatest but about becoming more like Christ. He is the only person to whom it is legitimate for Christians to compare themselves. That is why we read in the verse above that we are to be, as Jesus was, 'last of all and servant of all‘.

Becoming Christlike is not a competition but a daily decision to put others before ourselves. It may involve ambition but it is not the ambition to be ranked higher than those around us. Nor is it about being served by others.

It is about being the least of all and the servant of all. As that great servant of the poor Mother Theresa once said, ’The greatest good is what we do for others’. Sainthood requires servanthood.  

Response

Think about your work over the coming week. What opportunities do you have to exercise Christlike servant leadership? How can you help create a work ethos based on servanthood, rather than on egoistic contest?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to show us how to live a life of service and sacrifice for the sake of others. Help me in my work this week be to reflect your love through my acts of service. Amen.

This Week's Author

God on Monday is produced in partnership with the Church of England. The reflections are based on the scriptural readings designated for the next Sunday in the Church's lectionary. You can sign up here to receive each God on Monday instalment.

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