Jesus' Upside Down Kingdom Leadership Perspective

Matthew 20:20-28 records the story of James and John’s mother coming to Jesus to request positions of power for her sons in his coming kingdom. Jesus acknowledged that earthly kingdoms were based on lordship and authority. But then he startled them all with his “upside down kingdom” leadership perspective: “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

In Jesus’ mind, true authority and power is gained by laying it down. Serving leadership is about giving up your position, power, and prestige in order to serve others like Jesus did.

Consider how Jesus—very Son of God—gave up his position, power, and prestige. Philippians 2:6-8 indicates that Jesus —“being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

Through the incarnation—coming as a baby into a poor family (implied in Luke 2:24)—Jesus subjected himself to earthly kingdoms that ultimately were his (see John 8:23 & 19:11). Furthermore, he sought only the applause of his Father (see John 6:14-15, 38 & 7:3-4). Like Jesus, we can intentionally lay down our rights to gain spiritual authority and become trustworthy persons whom others will follow. ​

[Next week I will talk about Serving Leadership's directional journey.]