Text: John 13:3-15
Memory text:
“For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.” ‭‭
Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭27‬ NKJV

In the world, leadership is defined by the position one occupies or the power that one has. In other words, you are judged great by the position you occupy and the number of people who serve you.
Godly leadership is completely different. This is the lesson that Jesus taught His disciples in our text. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” ‭‭(John‬ ‭13‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬).
He did what was not acceptable among the Gentiles and in the world, which was for the Master to wash the feet of His servants! This is a symbol of service. However, even being their Teacher and Master, Jesus served His followers. Peter was so surprised with this that he initially disallowed Him to wash his.
He also reiterated this lesson in Luke, according to our memory text. True leadership is not a position you occupy but a service that you give. It is not a position of power that one attains. True or godly leadership is not a rank but a responsibility. It is not a title you bear or your label. It is a break from the world’s leadership style of exercising authority or rulership to godly leadership, which is responsibility. It is about serving your gifts, talents, skills, or knowledge to others. It is about adding value to the people you lead. It’s about sacrifice. It is action, not position.
Many seek leadership positions, not because of their desire to serve but for the title, label, or honour attached to the positions. They miss the purpose. A call to leadership is a call to serve, and any title or label attached to that position is only to identify with your responsibility. The title itself has no entitlement. For example, many people stumble in ministry because they want leadership position in the church for the title of being called a Bishop, Reverend, Pastor, Elder, Deacon or a Head and for the honour/privileges attached to the position but are not available or ready to serve the flock.
Friends, true leaders do not look for a seat to sit but for an opportunity to serve. Service makes you a leader and not a position, rank, label, title, or even your age. Whether in the church or your workplace, if you are already serving, then you are a leader.

Prayer points
1. Father, make me a true leader and help me to serve with all that You have given me, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, deliver me from the tendency of drifting towards worldly leadership as I serve You, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. My greatness as a leader is not defined by the number of people serving me but the number that I am serving.
2. Leadership is not about position, rank, title, label, or educational qualifications, not even about age, but service makes me a leader.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng