Leadership Jesus’ Way – Matthew 20:17-28

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Lectionary Readings for September 27, 2020
Exodus 17:1-7       The first of two times that Moses strikes a rock to get water for the Israelites (see Numbers 20:2-13)
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16      v4  “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.”
Philippians 2:1-13 v2-4  (Paul speaking) “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
Matthew 21:23-32 The Parable of the Two Sons

But we’re going to focus on Matthew 20:20–28 this week, “Jesus Teaches about Serving Others.”

Peace Quotes

Inspired by the life and social justice work of the Rev. Robert (Bob) Graetz, Jeff Hood recently commented: “One does not need permission from anybody to fight for justice. We are responsible only to the dictates of our conscience. One cannot be shamed or forced to become an activist. Love is the only true formation of an activist.”
Being an activist for peace can take 100 different forms. No matter which forms you may choose, do so with a spirit, posture, and voice of love.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/jeffhood/a-path-for-white-activists-a-celebration-of-the-life-of-the-rev-robert-bob-graetz/
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/20/obituaries/robert-graetz-dead.html

After his family’s home was bombed by the KKK because of his support for the civil rights movement of the 1960s, Rev. Robert (Bob) Graetz said this: “I am planting a tree in this bomb crater to remind us that in the midst of death, there is life... and hope.”
His comment and attitude are a startling response to the hateful violence thrust upon him and his family. His words press us to ask ourselves, “Where are the bomb craters in my own heart and mind? What trees of peace can I plant and nurture in those craters?”

Any time I preach or lead a group, regardless of age, I start the same way. I’m going to say three short sentences. Please repeat each sentence, with enthusiasm.
God made me.           God loves me.            God has plans for me.

Preface to Today’s Scripture Reading

We’re about to hear Jesus talking about what leadership looks like in the Kingdom of God and how different that is from the all-too-common abusive domination humanity has experienced for thousands of years. I chose this image of Neptune, the Roman god of water, because it is completely opposite of what Jesus described, yet if we’re honest, this statue represents the power and control so many people long to wield.

Today’s reading occurs immediately before Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem – an entry that launched Jesus’ last week before His betrayal, arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection. The next 8 chapters of Matthew are busy ones! These are intense times for Jesus and his followers.

Today’s reading comprises two seemingly unrelated sections. But as you hear them, think of the first section – Jesus explaining what’s about to happen to Him – as background information. With this in mind, you’ll better understand Jesus’ “can you drink my cup?” question directed to His two disciples (James and John) and their mother.

As you listen to Jesus’ closing comments on leadership, I encourage you to think about what God may be calling you toward. How might God be inviting you to be a “servant leader” as part of the Kingdom of God here on Earth?

Let’s open our ears, minds, and hearts as we listen to today’s reading.

Read Matthew 20:17-28.

Leadership. I have a love-hate relationship with that word. I hate it because I think it’s WAY over-used and over-abused, often convincing people that they are either leaders (which we’re told is good) OR followers (which we’re told is bad). Consequently, too many people pigeon hole themselves into being one or the other.

I love the word leadership because I believe every person is a leader in at least one if not multiple ways at once. Anyone who cares for a child is a leader – you are teaching by example and by direction. Anyone who is responsible for managing or mentoring other people is a leader. Any public figure who has the potential to influence society is a leader – whether they like it or not. Many people believe the best leaders follow the advice of people they trust.

As we have all learned through personal experience, not every powerful leader is a good leader. When my 8th-grade teacher asked us to name notable leaders throughout history, she cringed when I offered Attila the Hun and Genghis Khan alongside George Washington and Mahatma Gandhi. We discussed whether or not effectiveness, regardless of technique, constituted “good” leadership. After several minutes of spirited debate, she concluded I was not a “good” student.

I may have debated with her, but with Jesus, there is no debate today. Jesus tells his disciples then, and us today, “Here’s how you lead: by serving others.” Just a few verses after today’s reading, two blind men cry out to Jesus asking for mercy. Jesus immediately demonstrates servant leadership by responding with a simple and direct, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (verse 32).

For the past 2,000 years, Christians have enjoyed the luxury of having Jesus as our ultimate role model. When we tackle a situation by asking, “What would Jesus do?” we open ourselves to following the leadership examples of God in the flesh. This creates an interesting, interactive dynamic because, 2,000 years later, we have to work at understanding the concepts of Jesus’ words and actions and determine how we can apply those concepts to our own modern situations.

One author said, “the surrender of power is the form, and the only form, that God’s power takes.”[1] (I would argue that God’s power primarily takes the form of creation, but that’s another sermon!) The notion of God surrendering power may sound strange to many of you. Surrendering power to whom?!? To us! Perhaps God’s greatest gift of all, is the gift of enabling humans to make our own decisions, to create our own futures. (If surrendering is too strong a word for you, replace it with sharing power with humanity.)

You see, for over 300 years, one core Methodist belief has been something we call free will – the idea that God lets us choose our own paths in life; we have agency. Yes, we believe we have a personal relationship with God. And through this relationship, God draws us, lures us in the directions that are most desirable to God. Yes, God knows what is best for us and for the people around us. God brings information, feelings, and experiences to our attention. But God does not force us to do what is right or best.

Ultimately, we believe God does not control us; we are not pre-programmed robots or puppets on strings. This belief in free will is very different, and exciting in my opinion, compared to the concept of predestination, a belief held by the Calvinist Reformed tradition that includes Presbyterians. We’ll talk about that distinction more one day.

So why is God surrendering (or sharing) power to us in the form of free will so exciting? Because that means that God has invited us to play an active role in nurturing and expanding the Earthly social-spiritual community built on God’s love – what we often call the Kingdom of God! Not only are we invited, God has empowered us – each with different skills and abilities. God loves us and trusts us SO MUCH, that God has given us power in this Kingdom.

What power? Glad you asked! The power to express God’s loving spirit to others, all that Fruit of the Spirit stuff (Galatians 5:22-23). God has entrusted and empowered us with the ability to share “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” with ourselves and each other. Verse 23 tells us that there is no law against any of those. We are unleased to pursue and share all that fruit with wild abandon.

OK, maybe not with WILD abandon. In John 5:18-20, Jesus explains what it means to be a “leader-follower” when He tells His critics, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.”

Jesus looked for God’s leading and followed it. Next Sunday after church we’ll talk about our leadership structure for next year as well as a new program our Conference has offered our church to help us be a stronger, more vibrant faith community. Every member of next year’s church council, more than ever before, will need to diligently look and listen for God’s leading. Following Jesus’ example, we will need to continuously ask ourselves – individually and as a group – “How is God catching our attention?” “Where is God leading us? and “How can we serve others?” By doing so, we will steadily work to align and submit our free will to God’s leading and be able to say, “Yes Lord, we ARE ready, willing, and able to drink from your cup of leadership!”

And if you’re wondering where you can see examples of servant leaders, just look around you. Our members live it out every time they say, “How can I help?” or “I think God is leading me to say or do something.”

Do we always get it right? No, we’re human, and that’s fine. What’s important is that we work together, we try, we keep trying, and we learn from both our successes and our misses. We never fail when we learn and try again.

  • We are servant leaders when we care for our beloved elders who are no longer able to fully care for themselves.

  • We are servant leaders when we care for our children and grandchildren – especially because it may be decades before they appreciate our support.

  • We are servant leaders when we donate our time, our talents, and our treasures to the many ministries of our church and our community.

  • We are servant leaders when we ask others, “What can I do for you?”

  • And we are servant leaders when we say, “Jesus, I can’t do this on my own; I need your help and your leadership.”

My friends, God continues inviting us, drawing us, luring us into opportunities for us to lead our families and our community. By following God’s lead, we can truly be the light of God’s love, piercing the darkness, shining for all to see. The best question we can ask each day is, “Lord, what can I do for you?” and then respond with faith, hope, and love.
Amen? Amen!

[1] Alan E. Lewis, Between Cross and Resurrection: A Theology of Holy Saturday (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2003), 303.