Leadership by example

Luke 6:17-26 talks about Jesus preaching on the plains. In Matthew it is known as the sermon on the mount, but in Luke it is on the plain. I find this quite interesting because if Jesus is truly the son of God, then why did he put himself at the same level as creation.

Let’s unpack this a bit. (Let me apologize beforehand for the brevity. Column size is a consideration.)

Luke tells us from the very get go that they came down to a level place. Now this level place was one of geography. It would have been a plain or a field. When I think of level places, I think of mesas, or the flatlands of cotton country. The point is, no one in ear shot was above or below Jesus.

This is significant because at that time, the high table was for the affluent and the rich. The low tables and chairs were for the poor. In fact, our language reflects that sentiment. A chair is a seat of respect, whereas a stool is a seat of servitude (a loose paraphrase, I grant you). So here you have all these people seeking healing, and Jesus is in the middle of them. The passage even states that the crowd

was trying to touch him.

I’ve seen this at concerts. When the star of the concert comes down to walk among the crowd, there are those in the crowd who try to touch and grab the star. I could imagine something similar happening to Jesus.

Yet here is the interesting part, and probably one we often miss. In verse 20 it says, “Then he (Jesus) looked up at his disciples and said: Blessed are...”

Did you catch that. He looked up at his disciples. He was not only teaching his disciples, but he was also doing it from a servant position.

Most professors and teachers I have had, teach from a standing position. This requires the student to look up in respect and inquiry. But Jesus looked up at his disciples. Even here, Jesus was teaching about what it means to be great in the Kingdom. These “beatitudes” that are taught here and in Matthew 5 were to change the paradigm of thinking for the disciples.

Keep in mind, many of these disciples had just been called into following Christ. It is here that he sets down the syllabus of following him. It is my humble opinion that Jesus was introducing an expectation to the disciples. That expectation is one of servant leadership. (That opinion and a nickel won’t get you a cup of coffee, but there it is.)

The point is, when we read the Gospel, we need to read the WHOLE Gospel. There is so much going on and so much to learn. This idea of servant leadership was a world changing idea. No one had ever focused on serving. No one had even considered what it meant to be a servant in God’s name. Many people were looking for a way out of servitude.

There is so much more to unpack, but I don’t have the column room. However, you do have a church and a preacher or teacher that can help you unpack this and more. Look into it. Or come and see me and let’s get a cup of coffee and discuss.

See you in church.

Rev. Kent Wilfong is the pastor at the United Methodist Church, Doniphan/Neelyville.