Our Lord Jesus Christ was recognised as a great teacher when He was here on earth. He taught so wonderfully that those who heard Him were astonished at His teachings. Mark 1:22 says:
“And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”
While teaching His disciples His principles on leadership, He said to them in Matthew 20:28:
“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
In this one verse, He addressed issues of leadership, power, authority and human dignity. The power in this verse lies in the fact that it upturns the notion of what greatness really is, by establishing how a leader must first humble himself or herself in providing necessary service to others. Jesus further expanded his teachings on leadership to include the fact that anyone who desires to be a leader must first be a good follower. He also explained that even though the leader of the world might exercise authority and control over their subjects, it must not be so among children of God. In Luke 22:26, He said:
“But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are expected to walk in these principles. Every potential leader in the Body of Christ must first learn to be submissive in service and followership. In Matthew 23:11, Jesus said to His disciples that he who desires to be the greatest among them must first be the servant. He also taught them in Mark 9:35 that if anyone desired to be the leader amongst them, the same fellow must humble himself to take the least position and serve others. To further emphasise the role and importance of service in Christianity, Jesus told His disciples in John 13:13-15:
“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
A disciple cannot be above his Master, neither can a servant ever be above his Lord. We are expected to live a lifestyle that honours God. The leadership principles Jesus taught are firmly built on followership, service, humility, obedience and loyalty. If you want to follow Jesus Christ acceptably, you must align your attitude with His principles on leadership.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.