THE LEADERSHIP STYLE OF JESUS
(Mark 9.33-37)
I. Look at how Jesus CONFRONTS the PROBLEM with His disciples…
"Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?”
But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest."
(Mark 9:33-34, NKJV)
A. First of all, (catch this) He does not confront the Person (people) – but He confronts the Problem
1. If there is a problem in our home or at work or at church, and we come in and start confronting people on a personal level…what is going to be the natural reaction? *(A Wall Of Defensiveness Is Going To Be Raised High)
2. ILLUS: If I go up to someone and confront them physically, they are going to feel like (rightly so) that they are being ‘attacked’ and their natural response is going to be - *[Fight or Flight]
a. A person is either going to ‘Run’
b. …or they are going to ‘Fight Back’
3. When there is a problem that exists (no matter how big or small) it is always better to stand ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ with someone and you both examine the problem…than it is to stand ‘Nose to Nose’ and argue the problem
a. The ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ approach is a WIN WINN proposition
b. But the ‘Nose to Nose’ approach is a WIN=LOSE proposition (actually, a LOSE=LOSE; ex: husband & wife argument; parent & child argument; boss & employee argument)
B. We see that Jesus (wisely) chooses to ask a simple question –
(v.33b) “What was it you disputed (discussed) among yourselves on the road?”
1. the first thing this question did was to let the disciples know that Jesus was watching them *(a good leader is aware of what’s going on)
2. the second thing this question did was to let the disciples know that Jesus was waiting for an answer *(a good leader makes those under him accountable)
a. By the way, all of us are accountable to someone
b. And, we all need that accountability *(none of us are so spiritual; so mature that we do not need what accountability gives us – {parameters; boundaries})
C. And, the disciples ‘answer’ Jesus’ question –
(v.34a) “But they kept silent”
1. Silence is a definite answer
2. The disciples thought that by not saying anything they were hiding something from Jesus, but nothing could be further from truth *(shows their ignorance about who Jesus is)
D. When the disciples don’t step up and acknowledge their wrong attitudes…Jesus takes the next step as a Christian Leader *(He is not afraid to ‘Correct’ them)
II. Notice how Jesus CORRECTS the POSITION of His disciples…
"And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”"
(Mark 9:35, NKJV)
A. You see, what the disciples were really discussing was, “Which one of us is most important?”
B. Jesus ‘Corrects’ their corrupt mindset regarding how the Kingdom of God works
1. Our earthly mindset is one of gaining a higher and higher position from hard work or, better yet, ‘who you know’
2. Jesus says to them, “guys, you have it all wrong”
C. Notice Jesus’ words to them in correcting them –
1. His words are DIRECT (to the point)
“If anyone desires to be first”
2. His words are DRAMATIC (new, challenging concepts)
“first…shall be last”
3. His words are DECISIVE (not just a good idea, but the way it is – like it or not)
“(the) last (shall be) servant of all”
4. And, His words (could be considered) DEVISIVE (He ran the risk)
a. Risk – some might like & accept what He was saying
b. Risk – some (or all) might not like or accept what He was saying
D. But Jesus, as a strong leader, was a man of truth…and the truth is not to be compromised, regardless how many like it or not
III. And, finally, see how Jesus COMMUNICATES the POINT to His disciples…
A. First, He MODELS the point
"Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them,"
(Mark 9:36, NKJV)
B. Then, He MAKES the point
"“Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”"
(Mark 9:37, NKJV)
1. (Revolutionary) – In essence, Jesus said to His disciples (which means He is also instructing us today) that there is NO SUCH THING as ‘Direct’ Service to God…instead, there is only ‘Indirect’ Service to God
"Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”"
(Luke 14:12-14, NKJV)
a. Some of us think we can ‘by-pass’ the intentional acceptance and serving of others – and go ‘directly’ to God
b. But the Scripture PLAINLY tells us that we have an Undeniable, Inescapable Responsibility to love & serve one another…and any attempt to ‘modify’ (alter) this mandate (command) – will only nullify (make of no effect) our attempts at service to God
"If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also."
(1 John 4:20-21, NKJV)
2. All service to God must be demonstrated (carried out) THROUGH the humble & obedient service of others
"“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”"
(Matthew 25:31-46, NKJV)
