Into His Arms: Mark 9:35-37
Servant leadership implies costly intimacy. Following God’s will involves effort. Developing relationship with people creates intimacy. The more we help, the more effort it takes. The more relationship develops, the more intimate it becomes. When we combine the two – developing relationship with those we serve, it becomes costly intimacy. It’s good costly intimacy, but there is still a cost to be intimate.
Even though the disciples were afraid to tell Jesus what they were discussing along the way, Jesus responds to their discussion. He knows; He is the Son of God. Jesus is going to take every opportunity given to Him to ensure that His disciples have encountered the truth.
The message Jesus gives is one of the most contrary messages out there. This teaching is one of the leading reasons why the world rejects God. Perhaps even more to the point, this teaching may be at the heart of the fall of mankind back in the Garden of Eden. This teaching punches contrary at the core of who we are.
Jesus tells the disciples that greatness is not found in our displays of importance. Rather, greatness is found in how well we put those displays aside so we can serve one another. Our greatness is not in becoming first, but in thinking of others first. Our greatness is found in our willingness to remove ourselves from our focus so others can be the focus. Our greatness is in our service.
This really is the issue with the fall in Eden. Humankind wanted to be like God. We wanted to know the nature of everything: good and evil. Our focus was on our own desires and our attempt to elevate our position. The rationale behind the fall encompasses the complete opposite thoughts from what Jesus teaches. God calls us to set our quest for self aside and look to others.
Is this not what God does? Does not God set aside His perfection to put on humanity and die a perfect death for our sake? The cross is the perfect example of Jesus’ teachings and it is the event that fixes the fall.
To illustrate His point, Jesus brings a child into their midst. He embraces the child. So often we miss this point. People teach – rightly so – that this gesture is about helping those unable to help themselves. Scripture is filled with exhortations to protect the orphan and widow. But, that point is made by bringing the child into their midst. By lifting the child into His arms, Jesus lets him inside His defenses. He welcomes the child like someone who is close. Jesus becomes vulnerable through the closeness. Jesus allows intimate access to His being.
This is true servant leadership. Anyone can serve. Anyone can lead. But Jesus led and served by making Himself vulnerable. Jesus opened Himself up completely to the world and the world killed Him for it. Servant leadership is more than kindness. Servant leadership opens us up to costly intimacy.
