Servant Leadership: Following Jesus' Example
What does true leadership look like in a world full of strongmen and power-hungry rulers? As we dive into the book of Isaiah, we discover a surprising answer that challenges our expectations and calls us to a higher standard.
The Fifth Gospel and the Servant of the Lord
Many of the Early Church Fathers referred to Isaiah as the Fifth Gospel because the prophecies in the book essentially outline the whole life of Jesus. This week, we're exploring a passage in Isaiah that introduces a character called the Servant of the Lord. But who is this mysterious Servant, and what can we learn from him?
The Servant Songs: A Portrait of True Leadership
Isaiah contains four poems or songs that describe the Servant of the Lord. These "Servant Songs" paint a picture of a leader unlike any other in history.
Isaiah introduces a powerful leader who is the exact opposite of many examples of infamous strongmen throughout history. He is called the Servant of the Lord, and he is characterized by justice, mercy, empathy, grace, and compassion.
The four Servant Songs can be found in Isaiah 42, 49, 50, and 52-53. Each one reveals different aspects of this Servant's character and mission.
Jesus: The Ultimate Servant of the Lord
While there are various interpretations of who the Servant might be, the New Testament makes it clear that Jesus perfectly fulfills this role. In Matthew 12:15-17, we see a direct connection between Jesus and the first Servant Song in Isaiah 42:
"…Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. He warned them not to tell others about him. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah"
Matthew then quotes Isaiah 42:1-4, applying it directly to Jesus. But what makes Jesus the perfect embodiment of the Servant of the Lord? Let's look at four key characteristics.
Four Characteristics of the Servant
1. Chosen by God
Isaiah 42:1 begins, "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight." This language of being chosen echoes throughout the Gospels. At Jesus' baptism and later transfiguration, we hear the voice of God declaring, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him" (Luke 9:35).
2. Filled with God's Spirit
The Servant is empowered by God's Spirit to carry out His work. In Acts 10:37-38, Peter explains how "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him."
3. Humble and Gentle
Unlike the strongmen of history, the Servant leads with quiet strength and humility. Isaiah uses beautiful poetic language to describe this gentleness:
"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out" (Isaiah 42:3).
Jesus exemplified this humility throughout His ministry. As Paul writes in Philippians 2:7-8, Jesus "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!"
4. Working Tirelessly for Justice
The Servant's mission is to "bring justice to the nations" (Isaiah 42:1). But this isn't the punitive justice we often think of.
God's justice involves restoring what has been broken, not seeking vengeance. God's justice is rooted in God's mercy and love and seeks restoration and reconciliation not punishment.
Jesus demonstrated this restorative justice throughout His ministry, reaching out to the marginalized and proclaiming good news to the poor.
Our Call to Servant Leadership
Now comes the challenging part. Isaiah poses a question that we must all answer: "Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant?" (Isaiah 50:10)
As followers of Christ, we are called to embody the same characteristics of the Servant:
We are chosen by God, created in His image and loved by Him.
When we accept God's forgiveness through Christ, we are filled with the Holy Spirit.
We are called to live lives of humility and compassion.
We are to work tirelessly for God's justice in the world.
So how do we live out this calling in our daily lives? Here are some practical steps we can take:
Choose service over success: Look for opportunities to serve others, even when it doesn't benefit you directly.
Practice gentleness: In your interactions with others, especially those who disagree with you, respond with kindness and patience.
Advocate for justice: Identify areas of injustice in your community and find ways to make a difference, whether through volunteering, donating, or speaking up for those who can't speak for themselves.
Support ministries that embody God's justice: Consider getting involved with programs that serve refugees, mentor children, or meet the needs of the marginalized in your community.
As we strive to follow Jesus' example as the Servant of the Lord, we participate in God's ultimate plan for the restoration of the world. Let's commit to being Servants of the Lord in our families, schools, workplaces, and communities, bringing his justice, healing, and salvation to all.
Reflection:
1. How does the Servant of the Lord described in Isaiah differ from worldly leaders?
2. In what ways do you see Jesus fulfilling the role of the Servant in the Gospels?
3. How can we, as followers of Christ, embody the characteristics of the Servant in our daily lives?
4. What does God's justice look like in your community, and how can you work towards it?
Application:
As Servants of the Lord, we are called to embody Christ's characteristics in our own lives. Choose one area where you can demonstrate humility, gentleness, or work towards justice this week. This could be showing kindness to someone marginalized, advocating for those in need, or serving others without seeking recognition.
Prayer:
God, thank you for sending Jesus as the perfect example of your Servant. Help us to follow in his footsteps, embodying humility, gentleness, and a passion for your justice. Fill us with your Spirit and empower us to be your hands and feet in this world, bringing hope and restoration to all nations. In Jesus' name, Amen.
