MONDAY - October 26

Read. Mark 10:42-45
42 Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the ones who are considered the rulers by the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around. 43 But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. 44 Whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all, 45 for the Human One[a] didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.”

Reflect. Jesus said that “the ones who are considered the rulers by the Gentiles show off their authority over them.” This same thing could be written about our leaders today. You would believe it if you read Jesus’ words and they said the rulers and leaders of this world show off their authority. They throw parties and only invite the most “important” people. They get special healthcare that is not available to “regular” people. They have access to security and safety measures that nobody else get. They can skirt around and often break laws that everyone else must obey. They enter a room and expect people to applaud or want to get their picture taken with them. For American presidents, you expect to hear: “Hail to the Chief.” This type of pomp and circumstance is expected.

• In his kingdom, Jesus says that there is a different way. Instead of the leaders and rulers being defined by their authority over people, they are defined by something else. Leadership with those that follow Jesus is defined by an inverse rule. Those that want to be great are not those that walk in with a marine band hailing their greatness; those that will be great are those that serve. The word translated, servant, is the Greek word diakonos. This is a world that is elsewhere translated as minister and is connected with the idea of a slave. Jesus is very clear that those who will lead in his kingdom will be those that serve. 
• Jesus also says that this pattern of servant leadership was established through himself. Though Jesus is Lord, though Jesus has all the rights and privileges of God, he did not come to be served. Instead, the pattern of living that we find in Jesus is the pattern of service and self sacrifice. So too, Jesus says, is it with those that follow him. 
• In what ways do you see this contrast between Jesus’ pattern for leadership and the leadership we see in our government? How have you see leadership in the model of Jesus instead of the model of this world? How can you live out this call from Jesus to serve? 

Pray. Jesus, you came to show us how to live. Help me to live a life devoted to your service. Guide me in ways that help and encourage other people. Amen.

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Doug Lawson. Collier. Glenn Ethridge. Adam Funderburk.  Mary Reber.  Linda Harmon. Betty Carolyn Ward. Albert Rasanke. Lois Robinson. Ross Henley. Tiny & Donald Creasman. Bill and Barbara Buchanan. Bonnie Brenner. Baker Family. Robert McKenzie Family. Kibler family. Carolyn Harlow. Jeff Green. Earl Graves. Mickey Huff. Huff & Welch families. Helen Leigh. Paul Huffman. Schools, Teachers, Staff, Parents, Students. Church regathering plans. Layman family. Charlene Withrow. Brandon Casteel. Dirk Orr family. Smith family. Crowder family. Lillard family. Family of Floyd Eaton. Family of Eddie Rynes. Robertson Family. Harmon Family. Nancy Ryan & family. Bobby Roberts. Elizabeth May & family. Melvin Rinehart. Susan Rogers. Brandon Haugh.