Do We Measure Leadership by Praise or Service?
Welcome to Day 284 of our journey with Jesus. Today, we consider what Jesus calls us to question in our beliefs or lives. The main truth for today is this: Jesus challenges the belief that leadership is measured by position or praise rather than service. Let’s begin.
Current details of the journeyView the calendar, Episode and passage
Jesus in Action
Mark 10:35–45
Step 4 of 5
Examine what Jesus calls us to question in our beliefs or lives.
Lumapit kay Hesus sina Santiago at Juan na mga anak ni Zebedeo at nagsabi, “Guro, may hihilingin po sana kami sa inyo.” “Ano ang kahilingan ninyo?” tanong ni Hesus. Sumagot sila, “Sana po, kapag naghahari na kayo ay paupuin nʼyo kami sa inyong tabi; isa sa kanan at isa sa kaliwa.” Ngunit sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, “Hindi ninyo alam kung ano ang hinihingi ninyo. Kaya ba ninyong inumin ang nasa kopang iinuman ko? Makakaya ba ninyong mabautismuhan sa bautismong daranasin ko?” Sumagot sila, “Opo, kaya namin.” Sinabi ni Hesus, “Iinom nga kayo sa kopang iinuman ko, at babautismuhan kayo sa bautismong tatanggapin ko. Ngunit hindi ako ang pumipili kung sino ang uupo sa kanan o kaliwa ko. Ang mga itoʼy para sa mga taong pinaglaanan nito.” Nang malaman ng sampung alagad kung ano ang hiningi nina Santiago at Juan, nagalit sila sa kanila. Kaya tinawag silang lahat ni Hesus at sinabi, “Alam nʼyo na ang mga itinuturing na pinuno ng mga bansa ay may kapangyarihan sa mga taong nasasakupan nila, at kahit ano ang gustuhin nila ay nasusunod. Ngunit hindi dapat ganyan ang umiral sa inyo. Sa halip, ang sinuman sa inyo na gustong maging dakila ay dapat maging lingkod ninyo. At ang sinuman sa inyo na gustong maging pinuno ay dapat maging alipin ng lahat. Sapagkat kahit ang Anak ng Tao ay naparito sa mundo, hindi upang paglingkuran kundi upang maglingkod at ialay ang kanyang buhay upang tubusin ang maraming tao!”
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After seeing the King who serves, today Jesus challenges the common idea that leadership is proved by your title, your visibility, or how much control you have over others.
Watch: Are You Following Jesus or Just Chasing Influence?
Watch the companion video, then continue reading to examine the biblical testimony in its full context.
It is easy to look like you are helping others while secretly wanting attention, praise, or control. Even good actions can hide a desire to get ahead. Now, we look at how Jesus challenges the hidden competition inside all of us and redefines what it means to be a true leader.
James and John want recognized positions of power right next to Jesus. The other ten disciples become very angry, but their anger does not mean they are free from the same competitive spirit. Jesus addresses all of them together.
Your Title Is Not the Measure.
Most everyday systems use titles, special access, influence, and high visibility as signs of greatness. Jesus explicitly refuses to let His followers copy that pattern.
Control Is Not the Same as Serving.
A person can hold a position of responsibility and still serve faithfully; the problem is not authority itself. Jesus challenges using authority to make yourself look important, to dominate others, or to demand special recognition.
Even Serving Can Become Selfish.
It is possible to help others publicly while secretly keeping score—watching who noticed us, who thanked us, or who promoted us. Jesus’ standard goes beneath our outward actions to examine our hidden desire for importance.
The Cross Exposes Our Competition.
Jesus is moving toward giving up His life, while His disciples are arguing over who is the most important. This sharp contrast shows how distorted our goals can become when we want the benefits of His kingdom without copying His pattern of self-sacrifice.
Tomorrow, we will turn this challenge into a practical response about how you use your own influence and how you serve others.
Consider this.
Which assumption does Jesus confront in you?
Examine your assumptions
Allow Jesus to expose any desire to use service as another route to status.
