The Place of Servant Leadership

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Scripture
 
Psa. 110:0   Of David. A Psalm.
1     The LORD says to my lord,
        “Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies your footstool.”
 
Psa. 110:2        The LORD sends out from Zion
        your mighty scepter.
        Rule in the midst of your foes.
3     Your people will offer themselves willingly
        on the day you lead your forces
        on the holy mountains.
    From the womb of the morning,
        like dew, your youth will come to you.
4     The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind,
        “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
 
Observation

There is almost universal agreement that this Psalm is written in reference to the coming Messiah. The resurrected Lord will sit at the right hand of the Father and rule as people offer themselves as free-will offerings. This King, whom we know as Jesus, will not rule as an earthly ruler, but will be a priest in the order of Melchizedek. He does not come from any earthly lineage but has appeared to make sacrifice for God’s people. This King-Priest does not fit the mold of traditional leaders, but comes as a servant leader who will ultimately care for his people throughout all of eternity.

Application
 
Christ as the King-Priest produces for us a beautiful vision of servant leadership. A partnership is developed with those who willingly give of themselves to become a part of the mission because the leader is willing to sacrifice unselfishly for those who are a part of the team. Authoritarian rule has no place when the leader sees that they are to serve others as priest, becoming a conduit for the working of the Holy Spirit.

Today I am encouraged by those leaders who are Christ-followers who are making a real difference in the world. In a place of secular business they are leading in the model of our Messiah as King-Priest and, as a result have a huge sphere of influence for the kingdom. Every day they are lifting up our Lord by the ways in which they reflect Christ.

Sadly, however, there are others who have chosen to leave their religion in the pew on Sundays and not carry it out into the workplace.

Christ has never stopped being our King-Priest and there’s no place nor time for us to stop reflecting him. We are not to face him in worship on Sundays and then cover him up during the week. The genuine nature of our faith will be lost on the world around us because there will be nothing authentic about our lives.

The need for servant leadership has never been greater and must be seen at every level of society. This is the time to reflect the priest who forever comes to us from the order of Melchizedek.

Prayer
 
Lord, I know there are times that I fail, but I pray you will help me to follow your example of servant leadership. Amen.

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