I came before you- go back
I know better than you- stand aside
I’m older than you- don’t ask
I run this show- shut up and do as you’re told!

Jesus told His trusted allies what lay ahead of Him. That He was going to suffer so bad, then face a painful and shameful death. His friends were baffled but not enough to quell their thoughts and plans on “What next?” “Who will take over from the Master?” “Who will become the new Commanding Officer?” The political nature in men arose. The twins who had connections contacted their mother to step in on their behalf. Those who had no strings to pull were miffed when they learned what the twins had done, as if they didn’t desire same. As if they would not have pulled such strings if they had them.

I would be heart broken if I was Jesus! My friends were not even worried about the gruesome burden that lay in wait for me. Instead, they were more worried about who would take over and who would sit on my left and on my right at the Kingdom. Wow! Jesus was neither baffled nor disillusioned by their reaction. Instead, He used the opportunity to correct the error in their definition of leadership. As if that explanation and the lifestyle He had modeled before them in 3 years were not enough, on their last night together, Jesus laid aside His robe as their Master, dressed like a servant, took a bowl of water and bowed to wash their feet.

The disciples eventually understood it and modeled the same after the resurrection of Jesus. Yet, every day, as I watch the Church’s representation of leadership, I wonder where we learned such.  How did we get so deceived that we have lost the true meaning and the powerful significance of leadership? As we remember the last days of Jesus and His ministry on earth, may we be reminded once again that we are not of the world that exploits leadership. May we be mindful that in the Church of Jesus Christ, leadership is for service. May God help us. Amen.

Blessings
Glory!