“Rule Like One Who Serves!”

“Rule Like One Who Serves!”(Lk.22:24-30).
Prince Nico Mbarga of blessed memory asked in song, “If all people begin to sell, na who go buy?” It is perhaps worst if everybody sells the same kind and brand of goods. There is a misleading teaching which is almost sweeping African Christians off their feet. When you tell a jam-packed congregation, “You shall be the head and not the tail,” you are using the imagery of an animal with a head and a tail. The head in this sense is considered superior to the tail.
To be the head and not the tail is to say you shall be the first and not the last. It doesn’t work that way! Any first presupposes a second, next or last. We may cause more harm than good when we decree to a full congregation, “you shall be the first and not the last.” You create room for scramble, struggle, commotion and stampede, which may lead to casualties. And this is the harm we cause thinking that we are doing good.
God who created us was not foolish to give different sizes and lengths to the fingers. The tail of an animal is as important to that animal as is its head! An animal uses its tail to ward off flies.
My quarter in the village is full of subchiefs. The other day a colleague asked me, “How is it that everybody in Paila is a subchief? Who receives orders from who?”
It is prudent to let people know that not every shoe can fit on everyone. Whoever is a master is called master because there are servants.
The Lord Jesus Christ was in the world as a master but the work he did was that of a servant. Those who are in the public service and civil service are public servants and civil servants. If they are servants, it means the people they attend to are their masters.
As Christians our leadership responsibilities does not elevate us to unapproachable thrones. Rather it gives us greater opportunities for rendering service, not for mere pay, but with a real desire to serve.
We are great through the services we render to humanity; we are not great because of the titles we acquire or the ranks we arrogate to ourselves. Greatness is in service!
In other to quell a dispute among the disciples as to which of them was considered to be the greatest, Jesus told them inter-alia, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who excercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves…”
Our focus should be about service, not about who is the greatest. We have a common destination where all of us shall be kings serving the King of kings singing a common hymn to him, in and out of season. For now, let us humble ourselves in our services to humanity; irrespective of rank!
Weekend prayer: Lord Jesus Christ thank you for teaching us by example true servanthood leadership. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.