Do We Measure Leadership by Praise or Service?
Welcome to Day 284 of our journey with Jesus. Today, we consider what Jesus calls us to question in our beliefs or lives. The main truth for today is this: Jesus challenges the belief that leadership is measured by position or praise rather than service. Let’s begin.
Current details of the journeyView the calendar, Episode and passage
Jesus in Action
Mark 10:35–45
Step 4 of 5
Tala makambo oyo Yesu asɛngi biso tómituna na bindimeli to na bomoyi na biso.
Bongo Jake mpe Yoane, bana mibali ya Zebede, bapusanaki pene ya Yesu mpe balobaki na Ye : — Moteyi, tolingi ete osalela biso likambo oyo tokosenga Yo. Yesu atunaki bango : — Bolingi ete nasalela bino nini ? Bazongisaki : — Pesa biso nzela ya kovanda kati na nkembo na Yo : moko na ngambo ya loboko na Yo ya mobali, mpe mosusu, na ngambo ya loboko na Yo ya mwasi. Yesu alobaki na bango : — Bozali kososola te makambo oyo bozali kosenga ! Boni, bokoki komela kopo oyo Ngai nakomela to kozwa libatisi oyo Ngai nakozwa ? Bazongisaki : — Iyo, tokoki ! Yesu alobaki na bango : — Solo, bokomela na bino kopo oyo Ngai nakomela mpe bokozwa na bino libatisi oyo Ngai nakozwa ; kasi likambo ya kovanda na ngambo ya loboko na Ngai ya mobali to na ngambo ya loboko na Ngai ya mwasi, Ngai nakoki te kopesela yango ndingisa ; bisika wana ezali ya bato oyo Tata na Ngai abongisela bango yango. Tango bayekoli mosusu zomi bayokaki makambo wana, basilikelaki Jake mpe Yoane. Yesu abengaki bango nyonso mpe alobaki na bango : — Boyebi malamu ete bato oyo bamonanaka lokola bakonzi bakonzaka bikolo oyo ezali na se ya bokonzi na bango, mpe bakalaka ya lokumu bakonzaka bato oyo bazali na se ya bokonzi na bango. Esengeli te kozala bongo kati na bino ; nzokande, tika ete moto nyonso oyo alingi kozala moto monene kati na bino azala mosali na bino ; mpe tika ete moto nyonso oyo alingi kozala moto ya liboso kati na bino azala mowumbu ya bino nyonso ! Pamba te Mwana na Moto ayaki te mpo ete basalela Ye, kasi ayaki nde kosala mpo na bato mpe kopesa bomoi na Ye lokola motuya ya kofuta mpo na kosikola bato ebele.
Biblica® Salela na bonsomi Mokanda na Bomoi™ Makomi na se ya bokonzi © 2002, 2020 Biblica, Inc. Biblica® Open Lingala Contemporary Bible™ Copyright © 2002, 2020 by Biblica, Inc.
After seeing the King who serves, today Jesus challenges the common idea that leadership is proved by your title, your visibility, or how much control you have over others.
Watch: Are You Following Jesus or Just Chasing Influence?
Watch the companion video, then continue reading to examine the biblical testimony in its full context.
It is easy to look like you are helping others while secretly wanting attention, praise, or control. Even good actions can hide a desire to get ahead. Now, we look at how Jesus challenges the hidden competition inside all of us and redefines what it means to be a true leader.
James and John want recognized positions of power right next to Jesus. The other ten disciples become very angry, but their anger does not mean they are free from the same competitive spirit. Jesus addresses all of them together.
Your Title Is Not the Measure.
Most everyday systems use titles, special access, influence, and high visibility as signs of greatness. Jesus explicitly refuses to let His followers copy that pattern.
Control Is Not the Same as Serving.
A person can hold a position of responsibility and still serve faithfully; the problem is not authority itself. Jesus challenges using authority to make yourself look important, to dominate others, or to demand special recognition.
Even Serving Can Become Selfish.
It is possible to help others publicly while secretly keeping score—watching who noticed us, who thanked us, or who promoted us. Jesus’ standard goes beneath our outward actions to examine our hidden desire for importance.
The Cross Exposes Our Competition.
Jesus is moving toward giving up His life, while His disciples are arguing over who is the most important. This sharp contrast shows how distorted our goals can become when we want the benefits of His kingdom without copying His pattern of self-sacrifice.
Tomorrow, we will turn this challenge into a practical response about how you use your own influence and how you serve others.
Kanisa na likambo oyo.
Which assumption does Jesus confront in you?
Examine your assumptions
Allow Jesus to expose any desire to use service as another route to status.
