The Real Leader May be Wearing the Apron
Looks can be deceiving, especially at first glance. Have you ever made judgements about a person’s role or personality type as you walked into a meeting, even when you did not know anyone? Upon asking questions or getting acquainted, you may have discovered your first impressions had to be reversed. Too often we make judgements based on quick assessments.
I think if most of us had walked into the room where Jesus was celebrating the Passover (John 13:1-17) with his disciples, we would have been confused. We might have pegged Jesus as the household servant when we saw him washing the feet of the other men. It would have been natural to assume Peter or John was the leader but certainly not this person washing feet. In actual fact, the real leader was wearing the apron (so to speak).
It is worth noting most people feel comfortable serving others who are gracious, understanding, and supportive. But what about those who are not? As a leader, we will be called on to serve a variety of people, the gracious and humble as well as the contentious and proud.
So, who were these men Jesus was serving?
A couple of them had argued over their place in the Kingdom in the same breath as questioning Jesus’ announcement about his suffering. To say they missed the point of Jesus talking about his impending death is an understatement. One in the group was about to betray him; another would soon deny him. All of them would demonstrate a lack of courage or commitment when they ran away, leaving him alone when he was arrested.
There are a plethora of books about servant leadership. Servant leadership is a major topic on the leadership conference circuit and in blogs. We are told what to do and how to be a good servant leader, but we may have missed the most important concept? I admit, I know thatI should serve and I know how to serve: but the thing that truly motivates me to serve is knowing why I should serve.
Why should I serve? Why is this even a topic for consideration? We can talk about how it encourages people or sets an example but what is at the core of service for us as Christian leaders? Following the life of Jesus through the gospels gives us clear answers to these questions.
Tweet ThisJesus did not serve for show or for recognition. He served out of love, concern and care. He was developing and discipling the group that would take the Gospel to the world. His life showed them concepts like communication, faith, focus and common sense. He was constantly teaching because he was doing life with these men.
The disciples watched Jesus do some unbelievable miracles – but I contend that this one act of washing their feet crystallized for them everything else they had learned. It is no surprise that they all put on their aprons and served others until their deaths.
Don’t be deceived when you walk into a room, church or conference. The real leader may be wearing the apron.
