We're continuing our leadership series in this week's blog post (see post 1 and post 2) and we felt it was most appropriate following Easter to reflect on the greatest leader, Jesus.

Jesus did not come to earth as the type of leader everyone expected and hoped for. He did not come as a proud and triumphant warrior but as a meek, gentle baby. He did preach in beautiful and extravagant venues wooing people with emotion and whit but instead in homes, boats, and hillsides preaching and teaching relationships, truth about sin and forgiveness, God's grace and mercy. And he did not die gallantly destroying his enemies, but loving them instead and making a way for new life in him. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, the life of Jesus can teach us many lessons about leadership.

Service First

Jesus came not to be served but to serve others. We witnessed examples of his servant heart when he provided wine for a wedding, fed thousands, visited sick and dying people, and washed his disciples’ feet. Service was central to Jesus’ ministry. He didn’t put his own agenda ahead of God’s; afterall in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed "not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39b). He led by example through service and invites us to do the same.