A Serving Leadership Insight from the Life of Jesus Christ (Mark 11:1-10)

“When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” (See Mark 11:1-10 for full text)

In Mark 11:1–10 Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt while the crowds celebrated. Fulfilling a Messianic prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9, Jesus appeared to cater to the crowd’s desire to establish a kingdom after the order of King David. Greatly yearning for Roman rule to be overthrown, the crowds chanted slogans that were regularly sung at Passover commemorating their ancestors’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt. They wanted Jesus to be a political and nationalist leader who would restore the Davidic kingdom to former greatness. Perhaps his short-lived triumphal ride into Jerusalem and subsequent refusal to wield earthly power against Rome caused them to turn on him just days later and cheer on his crucifixion. In any case, Jesus assumed the position of king but clearly redefined what leadership in his kingdom was all about. He came to serve and transform, not to rule and conquer. 

KEY QUESTIONS: What type of expectations do I place on other leaders? What happens when those expectations are not met? In what ways might I be tempted to rule and conquer through my leadership roles? How could I serve and transform in those roles instead?