Christ the Cornerstone

Servant leadership, the only acceptable way to exercise authority

“Jesus summoned them and said to them, ‘You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all’ ”
(Mk 10: 42-44)

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading (Mk 10: 35-45), Jesus gives us a clear, unqualified statement on the way authority is to be exercised among his followers. No one is to “lord it over” others, or to “make their authority over them felt.” Rather, in the Christian community all authority is to be exercised in the form of service.

Jesus gave us a powerful example of this principle when he washed his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. This powerful gesture—doing the dirty work of servants—was not lost on his followers who protested that it was an action unworthy of Jesus, the Lord and Master. Jesus refused to accept that viewpoint. As demonstrated in this Sunday’s Gospel, he insisted that his mission was not to be served, “but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45).

This teaching has serious consequences for those of us who have been given authority over others whether in the family, in business, in government or in the Church. Sometimes called “servant leadership,” the Christian way of leading others is uncommon. It presumes a degree of humility and unselfishness that is especially hard to achieve in leadership positions. We naturally assume that leaders should be bold and assertive, and this is often an essential requirement for people in authority. But there is an equally important leadership quality that demands meekness and a willingness to set aside one’s ego in order to serve the needs of others.

St. Mark tells us that two of Jesus’ disciples, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with a request that was bold indeed: “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you” (Mk 10:35). Jesus does not take offense at the presumptuous request. He simply asks, “What do you wish me to do for you?” (Mk 10:36)

The disciples’ response shows that they were either egotistical or naïve. “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left” (Mk 10:37). They were asking for places of honor and influence in the kingdom yet to come, and Jesus’ reply shows that James and John clearly had no idea what they were asking.

“Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” (Mk 10:38) Their answer is “We can” (Mk 10:39), but once again their eagerness is naïve. Jesus’ baptism was a cruel death, and the cup that he drank was a bitter one. Jesus affirms that James and John will share in his suffering, but like most of the disciples, they were not destined for worldly honors but for whatever places their Father in heaven would assign them.

St. Mark tells us that when “the [other] ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John” (Mk 10:41). (Presumably they wanted to make sure that the sons of Zebedee didn’t get special treatment.) It’s precisely this kind of in-fighting or jealousy among his followers that causes Jesus to summon the disciples and explain to them exactly how authority should be exercised among them.

“You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt,” Jesus says. This is the way of the world, the way that leaders often act. “But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all” (Mk 10: 42-44).

Greatness comes not from bold aggression, but from humble service. It’s true that courage and decisiveness may be required, but only as a means of protecting and defending those who are vulnerable or in any kind of need.

Servant leaders must be both courageous and mild-mannered. They must be willing to give up everything—especially places of honor—in order to lead by example.

Let’s pray for our leaders—in the family, in business, in government and in the Church. May all who are given authority over others carry out this responsibility as trusted servants. And may the words and example of our Lord show us when to be courageous and when to be humble in our servant leadership. †