Radical Leadership

It's hard to properly put into perspective Christ's admonition to his disciples to be servant-leaders in Luke 22.26. Leadership in the culture of 1st century Palestine had no examples of leaders who were servants. Servants served leaders; they did not lead by serving. We have 2000 years of the effects of the gospel, not to mention 2000 years of studying Christ's words so the statement is no longer radical to us. It must have been dumbfounding to the disciples.

ὑμεῖς δὲ οὐχ οὕτως is how Christ begins his statement on being a servant leader, and it is a bold statement indeed, which can roughly be translated But you, not so, or But you not thus.

Cyril of Alexandria does a good job of putting this statement into its proper perspective.

When Christ says this, who can be so obstinate and unyielding as not to put away all pride and banish from his mind the love of empty honor? Christ is ministered to by the whole creation of rational and holy beings. He is praised by the seraphim. He is tended by the services of the universe. He is the equal of God the Father in his throne and kingdom. Taking a servant’s place, he washed the holy apostles’ feet.