5. Transfer The Burden
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me… the elders of Israel… that they may stand… with thee. And… they shall bear the burden of the people with thee. ..” (Num 11:16, 17).
When you observe a man striving for responsibility, support him! He will bring immense value to the Lord’s mission. However, if you notice a man seeking authority, exercise caution! He may harm the Lord’s work.
a. Leadership Is Not Lordship.
“Feed the flock of God… Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock” (I Pet 5:3).
God created humanity with the purpose of exercising dominion (refer to Genesis 1:26). Consequently, there exists a natural desire within most individuals to lead.
However, biblical leadership differs significantly from the authority demonstrated by many worldly leaders. Therefore, it is essential to grasp the biblical perspective on leadership.
Jesus exemplified legitimate dominion, saying, “…I do always those things that please the Father” (John 8:29). He utilized His leadership to teach, bless, heal, free individuals from bondage, cast out demons, forgive sins, and mend the broken-hearted (see Luke 4:18).
All of these actions were pleasing to His heavenly Father. “For even the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
Jesus did not wield His authority as a self-serving dictator, but rather embraced the role of a servant leader. His disciples struggled to grasp this concept, believing that leadership would elevate them to a position of prestige and admiration.
“Then came to him the mother of Zebedee ‘s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a special request of him.
“And he said unto her, What do you want? She said unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on your right hand, and the other on the left, in your kingdom.
“Jesus replied, …Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over
them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your servant;
“And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your slave: Even as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matt 20:20-28).
The Lord did not want His apostles ruling OVER. Rather He wanted them serving UNDER the people, bent low, washing their feet — like a lowly slave.
“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).
The Apostle Paul affirmed this in his writings.
“But now in Christ Jesus ye… are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone ” (Eph2:13,20).
This teaches us the leadership (apostles and prophets) are foundational ministries in the church. The foundation of a building is under it, in a supportive role — not over it, dominating and holding it under dominion.
The ‘chief cornerstone’ was the topstone (or head-stone) in the pyramid. This place is reserved for Jesus alone. He alone has any right to rule in the church as the ‘chief cornerstone.’
Any church leader who tries to take the place of Jesus is in danger of operating as an ‘anti-christ.’ In the New Testament, the Greek word for ‘anti-christ’ not only means
‘against Christ’ but in some passages ‘in the place of Christ.’ Those trained for leadership must understand this important principle.
Centuries before Christ, the Israelites tried to make their deliverer, Gideon, a king.
He wisely responded,
“…I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you (Judg 8:23).
1) The Parable of Jotham. I recommend you read the parable of Jotham (a relative of Gideon) in Judges 9:7- 21.
In his parable, all the ‘fruit-bearing trees’ and vines declined the invitation to govern the people. Only the thorny, barren ‘bramble bush’ answered the call to leadership. Observe the reaction of the ‘fruitful vine’ in Jotham’s parable: —-
“Then said the trees unto the ‘vine’, Come thou, and reign over us. “And the ‘vine’ said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? ” (Judg 9:12,13).
The ‘vine’ refused to rule over others.
Jesus had the same attitude. He was the true ‘vine’, and He too refused to be made a king (see John 15:1). ‘ ‘When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone” (John6:15).
Paul wrote to the Philippians, “…Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not something to be grasped after to be equal with God:
“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a slave, and was made in the likeness of men:
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Therefore, “Let nothing be done through strife or conceit; but in humility of mind let each think of others as better than themselves” (Phil 2:3-8).
