Servant leadership

“So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” - John 13:14

Readings: Exodus 12:1-14a; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17,31b-35

What is the difference between Jesus and a bully? A bully is someone who tries to lead others but refuses to have a servant’s heart. Jesus was a true leader because he modeled servant leadership. When the disciples were arguing with one another about who was the greatest, Jesus explained to them - “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Throughout the season of Lent, through Holy Week, and especially during the Maundy Thursday worship service, the theme of servant leadership is foundational to our understanding of the passion of Christ.

The Thursday in Holy Week is part of the Triduum, or three holy days before Easter. Maundy Thursday service is highlighted by the ceremonial washing of feet and a celebration commemorating the institution of the Holy Eucharist - the sacrament of Jesus’ Body and Blood - on the night Jesus was betrayed.” There is also provision within the Maundy Thursday service for the consecration of the bread and wine for administering Holy Communion from the reserved sacrament on Good Friday. Following this, the altar is stripped and all decorative furnishings are removed from the church. All of these observances point us to Jesus Christ who modeled servant leadership for us.

Our Old Testament reading this evening recounts the original passover of the Lord. The Lord informed Moses and Aaron that he would pass through the land of Egypt in the night, and strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt. The Israelites were asked to sacrifice a lamb and place its blood on the doorpost of their homes. Those who had the blood of the lamb on their doorposts would be delivered from death. This was the first passover. It was to be a day of remembrance for all, and was to be celebrated as a festival to the Lord. This tradition was to be practiced throughout the generations and observed as a perpetual reminder of God’s faithfulness.

Our Epistle reading this evening draws our attention to the current passover of the Lord. Paul reminds us that he received from the Lord what he also handed on to us, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” Like the Israelites, those who are marked with the blood of the lamb will be delivered from death.

This second passover is what we celebrate today as the Holy Eucharist. Jesus is the Lamb of God who was sacrificed for the life of the world. In the Holy Eucharist we remember and celebrate God’s work through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself has instructed us to practice this tradition of Holy Communion throughout the generations and observe it as a perpetual reminder of God’s faithfulness. In eating of this bread and drinking of this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. In participating in the Holy Eucharist, we are also called to participate in the servant ministry of Jesus Christ.

Our Gospel reading this evening reminds us that during supper with his disciples, Jesus got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord - and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have shown you an example, and you should do to others as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Jesus was a true leader because he modeled servant leadership. Unfortunately, there are too many leaders today who refuse to have a servant’s heart. Such people are nothing but bullies. Christ made it very clear to us - “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Throughout the season of Lent, through Holy Week, and especially during the Maundy Thursday worship service, we must understand that servant leadership is foundational to our understanding of the passion of Christ. We can not deny ourselves, take our cross and follow Jesus unless and until we have a heart of humility. Our strength and growth as a church and as Christians will come not by power, authority, or even miracle, but rather by modeling servant leadership.

This evening, Christ invites us who share in the royal priesthood of Christ, to step forward into servant leadership, that we may recall whose servant we truly are by following the example of our Master. What Christ has done for us, we must do for others.

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+