SERVING LIKE THE SAVIOUR

The LORD Jesus is a Leader par excellence. He should ne the role model for any aspiring leader. However, His leadership style is the exact opposite of what the world prescribes for leadership role. Jesus said, “…You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:25-28. What Jesus proposes is tough and testing. Not an easy task to walk this style of leadership.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan, gives us great insights into the leadership style that God wants us to follow. Martin Luther King Jr., sums up the parable, and its essence, very well – “The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But the good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” What a twist in the perspective!!!

Many Christian missionaries, especially those from the western nations, who left a comfortable life, and all of the very best of facilities available to them, so as to serve the poor and the needy of the rest of the world, fits very well into the mould of the leader, that Jesus is prescribing for His disciples. To serve without preference, and to serve with all their heart, mind and soul. They chose to serve like their Saviour.

One such missionary is, the Moravian missionary, Maria Hartmann – a widow who continued to pursue the work of the LORD, in Surinam, even after the death of her husband. She carried on, despite suffering from elephantiasis, and apart from all the struggles, as a cross-cultural missionary. Ultimately, she died on 30th December, that is today, in 1853, at the age of 55, after serving 27 years of ministry in Surinam.

What a testimony and what an example for leadership! Let us be admonished and enlighten, by Henry Drummond’s words, which, I am sure, summarises Maria Hartmann’s life – “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” Wonderful perspective for our lives too.

How are we desiring to spend our lives? Do others have any room in our dreams and desire, for our future? What about our time, talents and our blessings? Do we wish to share with those in need? What place does our Saviour have in our lives and our lifestyle? What means and methods of serving, are we employing? Do we resemble our Saviour, while serving others? Would our Saviour call us His good and faithful servants?