Every leader leads from authority.

Most authority is given from an external source. A government official can lead because there is an immense force backing them up. Corporate executives lead because they are elected or appointed by some ruling body. These people can have tremendous power because of the organizations behind them, but that does not necessarily mean they are good leaders.

Good leaders are out front inspiring, giving vision, and serving. People align themselves and give allegiance to good leaders.

Good leaders are in short supply; most people in authority push and shove to get what they want. They have authority, but they are not leaders anybody wants to follow.

A leader somebody wants to follow has authority, but the authority is not some external earthly force. It is moral authority. Moral authority is rooted in integrity-integrity in heart and soul.

Jesus Christ, the Son of Almighty God, was a great leader. His authority was not from any external organization. He had moral authority. Jesus described this moral authority in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 20, verses 25-28: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The Gentile system is the world system. The system Jesus was talking about is God’s system. You might think that God’s system could be as easily manipulated as the Gentile system, but not so. The person who plays the game and acts like a slave so they can be honored and elevated is quickly found out. God’s system is rooted in integrity and integrity cannot be faked; it must be genuine or it will quickly be exposed as fraud.
Jesus came to serve. His mission was always to go to the cross in shame and disgrace, and be killed by Gentiles. God raised Jesus from the dead in glorious power so that mankind would have a mediator between him and God the Father.

But the resurrection of Jesus Christ has never been widely recognized nor accepted. The Gentile world goes right on disregarding any claims of Jesus Christ.
One day God will elevate Jesus Christ to be ruler of the world, but for now the kingdom of Jesus Christ is obscure and has no real authority except moral authority. God could have brought the world to bow down to Jesus after the resurrection, but He was building a different kingdom, one not like the world system but other worldly.

Jesus did recognize our desire to “want to become great” in Matthew, chapter 20, verse 26. This greatness is something attributed; it can never be grasped.

God’s system is well described in the gospel of John, chapter 12, verse 24. Jesus said, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” When you plant a seed, it must be buried never to be seen again. The only thing you ever see of that seed is the fruit it produces.

So it is with life and leadership in God’s system. It is humble service. It is not self-seeking. When and if recognition and honor come, it should only make the seed (life) go down deeper, increase service, and never seek the light of day. If the seed comes up for light, the effective life and service ends.

People follow leaders who are humble servants. They do not follow the orders barked out in Gentile fashion; they follow the example and live their lives in the same pattern. They seek to serve, not to be served.

Looking for a leader? Look for the servant. Fall in behind and follow their lead.

The Rev. Dan Puckett is a minister with Life Action Ministries.