Observations on Servant Leadership

Observations of Servant Leadership from the Life of Jesus
John 13:1-17

In these verses, Jesus reveals His heart and His mission. He proves to these men that He did not come to be served, but to serve, Mark 10:45. In showing Himself to be a servant of men, Jesus left us a vivid portrait of the kind of heart we are to have for others. In these verses, among other things, we will find out that God's will for our lives is that we learn to give ourselves in service to others.

#1. Servant Leaders are fully devoted to God & His mission. (v. 1)

Having given to them decisive and constant proofs of his love. This was done by his calling them to follow him; by patiently teaching them; by bearing with their errors and weaknesses; and by making them the heralds of his truth and the heirs of eternal life. He loved them unto the end. That is, he continued the proofs of his love until he was taken away from them by death.

#2. Servant leaders are confident in their God-given call & identity. (vv. 2-3)

We should note that the source of Jesus’ actions lay in His knowledge and security of who He was and where He was going (vs. 1-3). Jesus was completely aware of His sovereign authority, His origin, and coming destiny as He submitted and depended by faith in what the Father was doing (vv.1, 18).

Thus, in that confidence, He voluntarily took the place of a slave and washed the feet of His disciples. Jesus knew who he was—because he was SECURE in own IDENITY that he could bow to the lowest point of service.

#3. Servant Leaders are willing to be vulnerable. (v.4)

Why would vulnerability be important?

Where else in the Scriptures did Jesus show His vulnerability?


#4. Servant Leaders are engagers. (v.4-5)

Servant Leaders do not fall into the trap of “it’s not my job” deal…

In that culture the most demeaning task around was to wash the guest’s feet. This was job done by lowest slaves. It was necessary because people wore sandals did most of their travel by foot. They walked along trails that we not only dusty but also cluttered with camel and donkey dung.

#5. Servant Leaders seek to serve everyone God has placed in their path.

Jesus does not distance himself from Judas. Jesus does not point his finger at Judas and say to him, “How dare you—after all I’ve done for you?” Instead he loves him to the end. He does everything possible to bring Judas to repentance. He washes his feet with the same tenderness and affection that he gives the other disciples. Maybe that will soften Judas’ heart.

#6. Servant Leaders understand the power of leading by example.

If everyone in your organization or under your leadership acted like you and did what you did, what would your organization look like?

Paul said “follow me as I follow Christ”---does your example not your words proclaim that…

#7. Servant Leader inspire others to live on mission.