Leadership

Laura Digan April 14, 2022 0 3

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John 13: 3-17, 31-33 (NRSVA)

3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 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. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ 7 Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ 8 Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ 9 Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ 10 Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’

12 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? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

My wee Gran was a great admirer of the Queen. They were born in the same year and so I think my Gran felt an affinity towards Her Majesty. I remember when I was young the Queen was visiting Glasgow and so my Gran dressed me and my brother up and took us into town to see the Queen. We waited for hours and hours but our efforts were eventually rewarded when we got to see the Queen close up. The wait was worth it to see my wee Gran so happy. 

My wee Gran always spoke about the Queen’s dedication to her duty. I never really understood this properly until I watched The Crown. How much the Queen has had to sacrifice for the country. The Queen has never been able to follow her own heart or her own wishes, instead she has to do her duty to the crown, what is right for the country. What a burden to bear. The monarch is called to let go of self and is called to do what is in the best interests of the country. 

In so many of our worship songs we celebrate the kingship of Jesus, in a triumphant way. The Kingship of Jesus is majestic, powerful, big and grand. But we see in today’s scripture passage Jesus is our servant king. By washing the disciples feet Jesus is highlighting that true leadership begins in service, thinking about others. Leadership isn’t about power. It is about encouraging and raising others up. It is doing our duty for others. It is a model of leadership for us all to follow. For as Jesus himself says: ‘I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.’

PRAYER:

Forgive me Lord when I think I am better than another.

Take my pride and fill me with a humble heart 

That is ready and willing to serve 

No matter where you lead

Amen