Spiritual Leadership - Declining for the Kingdom

So, this whole concept of declining leadership is based on the example of Christ. Really, if I had a preference, anyone who ever reads this, should just skip this blog and go read the New Testament with an eye for the leadership model exemplified by the most influential character in all of recorded history. His was a model of declining leadership.


FOOTWASHING
When other well-intending and well-trained leaders would have delegated the responsibility of preparations for an upper room foot washing, Jesus flipped it on its head. Foot-washing was work for a servant. It was not for an honored guest or even casual visitor. Good leaders among us would probably be planning something like:

• Let the servants in house know ahead of time the number of the people that will be arriving, so proper preparations could be made for cleaning the guests feet, dirtied from travel in simple sandals.
• Plan to give positive affirmation to the servants for being prepared and a job well-done.

However, Jesus was interested in another, more important aspect of leadership, leading by example. Jesus knew that the only way to show the men he was training how to decline, was to take action personally on tasks that they would have assumed to be beneath him. He washed their feet. HE WASHED THEIR FEET! Of all the things a powerful leader would ever do.. The incredulity and indignity of it all was exemplified by Peter's reaction, "YOU WILL NEVER WASH MY FEET!" And in the clear response of Christ, we find the essence of declining leadership:


JOHN 13 - "¹⁴Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. ¹⁵I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

PRINCIPLE:  A declining leader sets the example for his following, by serving before expecting.

One could follow this declination thoroughly through Christ's example:

• I gave up equality with God to save humanity, so you too should give up equality with your peers, status, possessions, relationships, and all other things that you view as something to be grasped, and decline. How low will you let me take you for the sake of the kingdom? Will you follow me, dropping your status, and pickup your cross to follow to calvary for the kingdom? 
• I came not be served but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many. Will you stop trying to get people to do what you want them to do, and let me take you lower to have a deeper impact than you ever knew? I can, but you have to approach situations with my perspective, not as the world gives. You must love others with whatever I ask of you before you can lead the flock to me.
• I told you that the Gentiles try to lord their authority over others, but you are not to do this. If any you want be a great leader in my eyes, serve people. Stop making a a lot of show, because my kingdom is not built on show, but quietly go pick up your towel, wrap it around your waist, and change the world through love.

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