Jesus Holy Name September 22, 2024
Text: Mark 9:33-35 Redeemer
“Servant Leadership vs I Want to Be Great”
Jesus has been busy. He has been transfigured on a mountain before Peter, James and John (9:2-8), and he has healed a boy with a spirit when his disciples were unable to (9:14-29). He has fed 5000 with 5 loaves of bread and two fish. Then He calmed a storm and walked on the water. He has worked miracles in Galilee and in Gentile territory (Sidon and The Decapolis)
There can be no doubt by now in Mark’s gospel that Jesus is no ordinary rabbi. Yet still the disciples are confused because Jesus heard them arguing about petty issues of rank and status.
I’m reminded of the 1999 study by Simons and Chabris called “The Invisible Gorilla Study”. This study is also known as the “invisible Gorilla Study.
Participants were required to watch a video of students passing a basketball during a game. They were asked to count the number of passes. During the video, a person in a gorilla suit walked on to the court, and through the action, but when questioned about what they saw. Only 44% of the participates noticed…. 56% never saw the Gorilla.
The study showed that people can be blind to aspects of a situation even when those aspects are within their field of vision.
This is the problem with the disciples in this Gospel text. They failed the Invisible Gorilla Study, They have been with Jesus for two years, seen thousands of miracles. This is the 2nd time Jesus told them that He was going to Jerusalem where He would be arrested, and killed, then after three days He would rise from death. “They did not understand what He meant and were afraid to ask.” What a bunch of knuckleheads.
We probably should not be too hard on the disciples because we all have unchurched friends who do not understand how Jesus can be more than a “great teacher of morality”. The concept of Jesus being God in human flesh and blood, whose death on a cross removed the guilt our broken commandments from the “eyes” of our Creator, is not normal in a culture that depends on “self-improvement”. The simple act of placing our faith in Jesus, who rose from death and the grave goes against the grain of “earning your own” way.
The first reason Jesus came to earth was to live a perfect life, never giving in to the temptations of Satan, nor the human desire of selfishness. He did this so that by His death on the cross, all who believe in Him would be spared from the judgment of God against our broken commandments.
Then in the mystery of God’s grace, God transfers to each believer the “holiness” of Jesus. This is why the Apostle Paul can write: “We have been justified by faith…” “..reconciliation with God has come to each believer by faith, presenting us holy in His sight, and free from accusation, without a blemish on our record.” (Colossians 1:22)
Mark writes: They came to Capernaum and when Jesus was in the “house”, He took them aside to teach them about His 2nd mission…. He taught them about “the culture of the those in the kingdom of God.” Leonard Sweet in his book “Jesus Manifesto” explains the words of Jesus when He said: “The kingdom of God is in your midst. I like the Lutheran phrase: “What does this mean?” the words of Jesus mean: “I’m standing here. I am the kingdom incarnated. Not only in what I do, but in who I am.” (Jesus Manifesto Sweet p. 107)
Then Jesus gives an illustration of what it means to be a servant. If you want to be first, you must choose the last position and be a servant.” This is “kingdom culture.” Being last and servant of all is not what we human beings usually strive for. That’s not the greatness to which we nor the disciples aspired. That’s what the disciples were arguing about. They don’t understand greatness any more than we do.
So, on this Sunday, we hear about servanthood…but then Monday rolls around and what changes? In the world in which we live and work, Monday greatness is about being number one, a winner, a success. It’s about power, control, wealth, fame, reputation, status, and position. Have you ever seen the losing super bowl team dancing around Monday morning with two fingers in the air shouting, “We’re number two, we’re number two?” Probably not.
Jesus is not saying that we should not or cannot be great. Jesus is not saying we should not have ambition. He never says that.
What does it mean and look like for you and me to be great in today’s world? That’s the question.
Jesus answers that question by taking a little child in his arms and saying to the disciples, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” The child is a symbol for something else. The child is a symbol of vulnerability, powerlessness, and dependency. The child in Jesus’ day had no rights, no status, no economic value. The child was a consumer and not a producer.
Think about a family member or a nurse’s aide who bathes, changes, and cares for the elderly, the sick, the dying; she or he is the who is great in the eyes of Jesus. Our greatness is revealed in our service and care of others regardless of her or his ability or willingness to pay, repay, or return the favor.
In 1977, Robert K. Greenleaf published his book entitled: Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. He advocated leadership based on serving others. He was responsible for popularizing the concept of “servant leadership.”
Three years earlier Howard E. Butt, Jr wrote: The Velvet Covered Brick: Christian Leadership in an Age of Rebellion promoted the same theme of servant leadership based on the character trait of God.
Growing up and attending other Lutheran churches it was not unusual to hear church members talking about their Pastor. That was the first time I realized that people talk about their pastors…. The comment that stuck in my mind was the following: “as much as they liked their pastor they said: “he hardly ever lifts a finger, we are the ones who do all the work.” Ever since that day I have told every Vicar: “people want to know if you are a servant leader. So be the first to put away the tables and chairs.” Others will follow.
True leadership is found in serving others. Max De Pree was a long time CEO of
Herman Miller and member of the Fortune Hall of Fame. He wrote in his book Leadership Is an Art: (this following note is in the bulletin for people to read)
“The servant is the person who knows his or her spiritual poverty (Matt. 5:3) and exercises power under God’s control (Matt. 5:5) in order to maintain right relationships. The servant leader apologizes for mistakes (Matt. 5:4), shows mercy when others fail (Matt. 5:7), makes peace when possible (Matt. 5:9), and endures unmerited criticism when attempting to serve God (Matt. 5:10) with integrity (Matt. 5:8). Jesus set the pattern in his own actions on our behalf (Matt. 20:28). “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. We show ourselves to be Christ-followers by following his example, serving Him by serving our neighbor.
Next week is Heritage Sunday here at Redeemer. There will be a great potluck put on by our Hmong and Korean members. They did not have to say yes when I asked. They knew it would be a lot of work, requiring time to serve the rest of us our favorite egg rolls and sticky rice. But they wanted too. Hours of work. Cooking. Serving was not a burden but a joy of thankfulness.
Dave Ramsey wrote: “True leadership is servanthood. Put the interest of others at the center of your decisions.” Jesus came to serve. Suppose you took that role. Be the family member who offers to wash the dishes after dinner. Be the neighbor who mows the grass of the elderly people in your neighborhood. Find happiness in serving others.
I can only begin to imagine the shock Mary must have felt when the angel visited her telling her the news that she would bear a child. Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
This is the response of Mary. She was willing to be a servant. Mary has just heard that her whole life will be turned upside down. She’s aware of the social implications of becoming pregnant outside of marriage in her culture. She could very well be stoned to death as an immoral woman, not to mention suffering a lifetime of shame. After all, who would believe her impossible story about how she became pregnant? Nevertheless, Mary offered herself to the Lord as his servant.
Think of Simon of Cyrene. On Good Friday, he was just a face in the crowd. He didn’t get up that morning and say, “Today I will go down in history as the guy who volunteered to help Jesus carry His cross. He was called to help. He and his children became followers of Jesus.
So, What is the “culture of the Kingdom of God”? Kent Hunter in his book “Who Broke my Church” states that “Kingdom Culture” is not a program a pastor or a church can create. It is people who imitate Jesus by loving their neighbor and serving others. The Culture of the King is visible here. People care for one another, pray for one another, serve one another, we share the words and promises of Jesus.
“Kingdom Culture” has 5 parts;
1. Values: The words of Jesus are our values. “Love God, Love one another, serve one another.
2. Beliefs: Reading the bible, knowing that Jesus is your Savior who not only forgives your mistakes but
promises eternal life by faith in Him.
3. Attitude: Paul wrote: (Philippians 2:5) your attitude should be the same as Jesus. Jesus put the interest of
others at the center of His decisions.” Jesus came to serve.
4. Priorities: Things you do first. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your might.” This is the first and greatest commandment. Well how do you do that?
a. Worship
b. Read and study the words of Jesus
c. Pray If you don’t know how to pray use Luther’s prayer we handed out last Sunday.
5. World view: The world view of the disciples in our gospel lesson was “I want to be first, I want to be the
greatest”. Jesus said: “Who ever would be great among you must be your servant.
We exist for those who do not know Jesus but are looking. We are to tell the story of Jesus to our friends and neighbors who are de churched and have lost hope. What will attract the “unchurched” to our doors?
Yes, the work of the Holy Spirit. But when they arrive will they see acceptance? Will they see joyful follows of Jesus, serving one another and their community. I see it here. Thank you.
