Leadership is one of the greatest virtues the world is searching for today. Yet, there is a significant difference between how leadership is understood and practiced in the world and how it is meant to function within Christendom. This gap exists not because the Bible teaches the same leadership principles found in the world, but because many Christian leaders have allowed worldly ideas to shape their leadership more than biblical truth.
Matthew 20:20–28 gives us a clear contrast between God’s model of leadership and the world’s model. Verses 20–24 reveal how worldly leadership functions—people seek positions and titles to appear important, to gain influence, and to be first among others. The request made by the mother of James and John is a clear illustration of nepotism and worldly ambition. Her kneeling before Jesus and asking for her sons to sit at His right and left hand reflects the very desires that characterize worldly leadership.
Such attitudes naturally create conflict and displeasure among others, as described in Matthew 20:24.
In verses 25–28, Jesus explains in detail the difference between leadership in the world and leadership in the kingdom of God. In verse 25, Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.” The phrase “lord it over” is an idiom meaning “to act in a way that shows one thinks one is better or more important than someone else.” If a church leader—or any of us—thinks or behaves this way, it reflects worldly leadership, not godly leadership.
The second part of the verse, “those who are great exercise authority over them,” highlights another common problem: using leadership for personal benefit—whether for praise, recognition, material gain, or influence. This can appear in subtle ways: emphasizing tithes for church needs, sharing personal material desires with the congregation, showcasing financial contributions under spiritual labels like “seed sowing,” or promoting one’s own comfort in the name of ministry. All of these fall under exercising authority for oneself.
Jesus describes godly leadership in the second part of verse 26 and in verse 27: “whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave.” He continues in verse 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.” Here, Jesus not only teaches but demonstrates the highest expression of godly leadership—giving His life for others. No one in the history of humanity exemplifies this better than Jesus Himself.
Philippians 2:3 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” If this command is for all believers, then how much more should it shape the life of a leader? Absolutely to the fullest extent. Later in Philippians 2, we read about the humility and mindset of Christ, which shows that true greatness in God’s kingdom requires the same humility Jesus displayed.
This is why Paul could say, “what things were gained to me, these I have counted loss for Christ…” (Phil 3:7). Paul understood that godly leadership in the church is possible only through humility.
To be continued tomorrow….