Our God is a Servant God

“Our God is a servant God,” wrote Henri Nouwen.

My late husband, Fred, was frequently invited by businesses, colleges and churches to teach on leadership. He used the Bible as his textbook, because Fred said one can learn more on leadership from the life of Christ than from any other source.

The Scriptures clearly show that Jesus’ leadership style was based in servanthood. Jesus Himself said, “The one who serves you best will be your leader.” (Luke 22:26)

God spoke these words about His Son, Jesus, the coming Messiah, thousands of years before His birth: “See my servant; my Chosen One in whom I delight.” (Isaiah 42:1)

And Jesus Christ not only became a servant, but He said of Himself: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” And His servanthood led Him to give His life. (Mark 10:45)

Back in the seventies a man coined the phrase, Servant Leadership. He started the Servant Leadership movement, a set of practices that enriches individuals, builds better organizations and ultimately creates a more just world. But the man failed to mention that he took his principles from the life of Christ.

But Jesus Christ didn’t become a servant to build better organizations, or even to create a more just world. Jesus came to die an ignominious death on the cross, and to fulfill the will of God His Father, so that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus was God in human form, the ultimate humble servant. I don’t know about you, but I want to follow His example of servant leadership.

Join us sharing stories of God’s love from the streets of Skid Row, on the Mission’s weekly television show, Sunday mornings, 8:00 AM, KCOP-TV, Channel 13.

Blessings,

Willie Jordan (Mrs. Fred Jordan)