“Leading so Others May Shine”
October 20, 2024
Mark 10:35–45
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’
When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’
Recently I had a conversation about leadership with a friend who works in higher education. I have respected him as a leader and I always learn from him. I also have known him to be a fan of Harry Potter so I was not surprised when that name came up in our discussion about leadership.
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the lives of the young wizard Harry Potter, and his friends, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Magic.
The school Headmaster is a man named Albus Dumbledore whom my friend holds up as an exemplary model of leadership because of his humility, emotional intelligence, and his willingness to admit mistakes.
In the Potter books, Dumbledore was respected and admired for his ability to guide students. They benefited from his deep capacity for love and always seeing good in people.
Dumbledore would share witty and wise saying with his students:
“While we may come from different places and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one.”
“It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
“I sometimes find, and I am sure you know the feeling, that I simply have too many thoughts and memories crammed into my mind.”
My friend posited that Dumbledore is a model of true leadership. And I came to think about this after reading the words of Jesus this week.
In the Gospel readings this fall, Jesus has been repeating teachings about leadership that he wanted his disciples to learn. For Jesus, leadership was all about humility and servanthood. He shared wise sayings, too.
“If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34
“Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:35
“Whoever is not against us is for us.” Mark 9:40
“Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” Mark 10:43
Jesus knew teaching his followers about humility and servanthood ran counter to what they saw and learned from other leaders.
Today’s reading introduces us to a couple of human tendencies that run counter to leadership marked by humility and servanthood.
Meet the Zebedee brothers. They are on a mission to get the top spots in in the Glory Bound Church they expect Jesus to establish. These guys are interested in giving orders, not taking them.
They say to Jesus: ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ And they said, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ Mark 10:36
Now, it is easy to see James and John as notably arrogant in their request. Noice they are not trying to usurp Jesus. Rather with eagerness they see themselves as the right guys for advancement.
But Jesus recognizes that there is something amiss with the Zebedee brother’s eagerness and it is undermining their motivation to be true supporters and good leaders of Jesus’ agenda.
In response to their request, Jesus says: ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them.
The brother’s eager motivation for places of honor next to Jesus reveal their desire for recognition. But Jesus knows that people who are models of true leadership do not seek recognition.
Jesus sees something else that is amiss in the Zebedee brother’s request. It is related to the need for recognition and it is subtly presented in what Jesus says next: ‘”Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
Jesus’s reference to slave is key. In another story, Jesus tells of a slave preparing the master’s meal and He points out that slaves do not expect to be recognized or applauded. They simply do their jobs.
Jesus uses this analogy to teach his followers that serving others humbly, carryout out responsibilities without seeking recognition or accolade, is part of leadership.
Rick Hoyt was born in 1962 with cerebral palsy after his umbilical cord cut off oxygen to his brain during delivery. Doctors told his parents he would never speak or have use of arms and legs. He also would be cognitively disabled. They advised admitting Rick to an institution for life. The parents disagreed and committed to raising Rick at home and giving him the life experiences that any child would have.
Public schools at that time were often inaccessible for children with disabilities. So, Rick’s mother Judy homeschooled him. She taught him to read and posted signs on every object in the house. At the age of 10 he was given an interactive speech computer which he used to spell words by pushing his head against the screen.
A few years later, Rick learned about a college-age lacrosse player that had been paralyzed in an accident. Plans were afoot for a five-mile benefit run to help this student. Rick told his dad that he wanted to participate in it.
Dick Hoyt was not a runner, but agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair for the race. They finished all 5 miles, coming in next to last. That night, Rick told his father, “Dad, when I’m running, it feels like I’m not handicapped.”
Rick and Dick Hoyt went on to push, pedal and paddle in 1100 races including 70 marathons. In 1992 they pushed and pedaled across the country, completing over 3,700 miles in 45 days.
Rick was once asked, if he could give his father one thing, what would it be? He said, “The thing I’d most like is for my dad to sit in the chair and I would push him for once.”
Early in their racing years, Dick Hoyt was criticized by people who asked, “What are you doing dragging your disabled son through all these races? Are you looking for glory for yourself?’
Dick’s response was “I wasn’t running for my own pleasure. I was simply loaning my arms and legs to my son.”
In Jesus we see this over and over. “I came not to be served but to serve,” he says, “and not to be noticed for serving,” he might have added. Leadership, according to Jesus is all about serving to enable others to shine; to help them discover their gifts and take up the mission of serving with love and mercy which we know chiefly in Jesus.
