If there is anyone who truly practiced and showed the real meaning of servant leadership to the whole world, it was Jesus Christ. His teachings and actions were reflections of His principles. As indicated in the Holy Bible, Jesus showed the meaning of humility in action several times to His disciples and other followers. Though His earthly presence in the flesh was too short, His teachings are eternal.
We Ethiopians are now commemorating the Passion Week, the time that our Lord Jesus Christ endured several hardships for the sake of love and the salvation of all humankind.
The week – starting from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection Day is a time when the Savior experienced suffering, betrayal, punishment and crucifixion. However, none of these sufferings prevented Jesus from showing kindness and unreserved love to all humankind. Even in the face of inexpressible sufferings at the hands of His enemies, Jesus never failed to extend mercy.
All the unkind treatment from the people around Him and the betrayal from one of His disciples did not prevent Jesus from practicing servant leadership, which was one of His missions to this world.
Using this as a ground, The Ethiopian Herald had moments with Pastor Tsadiku Abdo, a Theologian, and seasoned Christian Minister with over 50 years of service.
According to Pastor Tsadiku, he is also President of the Evangelical Churches Fellowship Ethiopia; Jesus taught both His followers and the then leaders the true meaning of servant leadership. Unlike other servants (political leaders of the era) who always had a special image towards themselves at the expense of others and prioritized their comfort, Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem as a humble king.
Even though He is the Son of God, Jesus conveyed a message about what humility means to His disciples and to the whole world. He entered the city of Jerusalem riding on a donkey as a humble king. The people of the city welcomed Jesus with songs of ‘Hosanna,’ a day which was commemorated last Sunday among Christians.
On the second day –Monday, Jesus also showed the then religious leaders what it means to serve God by cleaning the church which was dominated by merchants and who almost converted the house of God into a marketplace. Jesus drove out merchants who turned the temple into marketplace. Jesus’s actions toward the leaders of His time demonstrate how effective leadership should respond decisively to wrong deeds; exemplifying the misuse of God’s temple by merchants.
Here, it should be understood that Jesus was not against those business men; rather, he was against the business because the exchange of goods and services was conducted in the wrong place. He believed that true worship needs to be Holy and sincere. His actions against those merchants in the temple clearly reflect that servant leadership should be free from corruption. By doing so, He exposed the weakness of the religious leaders whose hearts were filled with self-interest and prioritizing their own interests at the expense of God`s purpose within the temple.
Tuesday was another important day in the Passion Week. It was a time religious leaders were confronting Jesus through lots of questions and He was responding to them in a proper manner that exposed their weakness. It was a good opportunity for Him to refute their hypocrisy which is against the will of God and the principles of servant leadership within the temple.
These people considered themselves as if they were holy while the opposite was true. While the religious leaders, scribes and others were arguing with Him concerning their law, Jesus was exposing their gaps. Jesus was teaching the leaders to be spiritually alert.
Jesus’ confrontation was not only from religious leaders. It was also from His followers. This was reflected on Wednesday where one of His disciples, Iscariot Judas, betrayed Him for the sake of 30 dinars. This is also a good indication that servant leadership involves betrayal from close allies and requires one to face and overcome challenges with endurance and meticulously.
Thursday is one of the days that Jesus showed servant leadership in action and left a lifetime lesson about humility and humbleness in leadership by washing the feet of His disciples. By taking such a humbling role, He illustrated that leadership is not about exerting authority or demanding respect, but rather about serving others.
Jesus’ willingness to wash His disciples’ feet was a powerful act against the notions of status and prestige. Through this act, He demonstrated that true leadership is rooted in humility and service. He taught that leaders should not only be approachable and relatable but should also prioritize the well-being of those they lead. This act resonates with the idea that genuine leadership inspires others through action and a steadfast commitment to serving others.
Indeed, in His teachings, Jesus consistently taught the world about love, compassion, and the importance of putting others before self. The Parable of the Good Samaritan serves as a notable example, urging individuals to extend kindness, compassion and offer help to those in need, regardless of social, cultural, or any other boundaries.
Jesus’ approach to leadership transcends traditional paradigms by advocating for empathy and understanding, He challenged His followers to look beyond their own interests and serve their communities.
This message is especially relevant today, as modern leaders grapple with complex issues that require collaboration and an unwavering commitment to uplift others.
Furthermore, Jesus’s interactions with marginalized individuals such as the sick, the poor, and the outcasts epitomized the essence of servant leadership. Jesus showed the whole world the true meaning of compassion in action; not in words. By breaking down barriers through inclusion and empathy, Jesus provided a timeless blueprint for leaders seeking to create environments where everyone feels seen, valued, and cared for.
His ability to listen, empathize, and respond to the needs of those around Him highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership.
In essence, Jesus taught that leadership is not a privilege but a responsibility. His model of servant leadership challenges individuals to reevaluate their definitions of success and power, prompting them to consider how they can leverage their own influence for the betterment of others. By embodying the principles of humility, service, and love, Jesus offers a transformative vision of leadership, urging us to aspire to lead with purpose and integrity in all our pursuits. His teachings continue to be a source of inspiration, encouraging us to embrace a servant-hearted approach in our own lives and leadership roles.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 17 APRIL 2025
