A Higher, Lower Level
Slowly and subtly, his lies become our lies leading to self-glory! (See previous post) I really don’t have to paint a picture here; it’s already there, engulfing us three dimensionally…
In the professional world
On the political platform
Behind the pulpit
Yes, it can even be found in the religious hierarchy, just as it was in Jesus time—supremo, numero uno, big enchilada, basking in the limelight. And in the army culture, the military rank system serves to help heighten an inflated sense of pseudo self-worth. RHIP: Rank has its privileges.
I had a General say to me, after being elected, “This is pretty heady stuff.” This particular leader resisted Satan’s limelight lie by always pointing to the true light. Unfortunately, there are those who do succumb, thereby losing the perspective that Jesus modeled for us—yes even some Captains and Commissioners.
Enter John who helps put it back into perspective for us:
“He comes after me, but he is not in second place to me. I’m not even worthy to hold his coat for him” (26,27).
This says something very significant about the changing nature of his leadership ethos. It immediately shifts into a new standard of worthiness. Heretofore, his followers had looked to him (John) as their numero uno. Authentic leadership takes on a new quality of worthiness—second place, “I’m not even worthy to hold his coat for him.”
Later on, Jesus throws John and everyone else a curve ball when his followers begin bickering about who is going to be the greatest among them. He stops them short saying…
“Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It’s not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant” (Luke 24-27).
“John, Peter, Andrew, I’ll hold your coat for you, and then I’m going to wash your feet.” Whoa! Jesus takes this worthiness thing to a higher lower level. He elevates himself from first place to servant place, setting a standard for all to follow.
“And whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me”
(Matthew 10:38)
First place or servant place?
What kind of leader are you?
JN
