The Masters

Master Principle

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first
must be slave of all.
Mark 10:43-44

Given the importance of competent leaders in the church and in business and
government, too we might expect that the Bible would use the term more often. In fact, the
King James Bible (on which many of my generation have been nurtured) uses the term leader
only six times. Much more frequently, the role is called servant. We do not read about Moses,
my leader, but Moses, my servant. And this is exactly what Christ taught.
Jesus was a revolutionary, not in the guerrilla warfare sense, but in His teaching on
leadership. The term servant speaks everywhere of low prestige, low respect, low honor. Most
people are not attracted to such a low value role. When Jesus used the term, however, is was a
synonym for greatness. And that was a revolutionary idea.
Christ taught that the Kingdom of God was a community where each member served the
other. Paul wrote in the same vein: serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). Our loving
service should spread also to the needy world around us. But in most churches, a few people
carry the load.
Jesus knew that the idea of leader as loving servant of all would not appeal to most people.
Securing our own creature comforts is a much more common mission. But servant is His
requirement for those who want to lead in His Kingdom.
The sharp contrast between our common ideas about leadership and the revolution Jesus
announced is nowhere clearer than in Mark 10:42-43: you know that those who are regarded as
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 the first must be slave of all.
This was such a revolutionary idea that even those closest to Jesus, the disciples James
and John, used their ambitious mother in a scheme to secure top positions in the coming
kingdom before the other ten received their due. These two disciples took very seriously Jesus
promise about sitting on glorious thrones and judging the tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28), but
they misunderstood how to get there.
Despite their friendship, Jesus did not give an inch to their campaign for office. You
dont know what you are asking, was His reply (Matthew 20:22). James and John wanted the
glory, but not the cup of shame; the crown, but not the cross; the role of master, but not servant.
Jesus used this occasion to reach two principles of leadership that the church must never forget.

The sovereignty of spiritual leadership. To sit at my right or left is not for me to grant.
These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared (Mark 10:40).
A more common response might have been: Honor and rank is for those who have
prepared themselves for it, and worked very hard to get it. But here we see the
fundamental difference in Jesus teaching and our human ideas. God assign places of
spiritual ministry and leadership in His sovereign will. The Good News Bible translates
verse 40: It is God who will give these places to those for whom He has prepared them.
Effective spiritual leadership does not come as a result of theological training or seminary
degree, as important as education is. Jesus told His disciples, You did not choose me, but
I chose you and appointed you (John 15:16). The sovereign selection of God gives great
confidence to Christian workers. We can truly say, I am here neither by selection of an
individual nor election of a group, but by the almighty appointment of God.

The suffering of spiritual leadership. Can you drink the cup I drink and be baptized with
the baptism I am baptized with? (Mark 10:38).
No hedging here. No dodging the hard realities. Jesus simply and honestly set
forth the cost of serving in His Kingdom. The task was magnificent and difficult; men
and women leading in that task must have eyes wide open, and hearts willing to follow
the Master all the way.
To the Lords probing question, the disciples responded glibly, We are able.
What tragic lack of perspective! But Jesus knew what lay ahead. They would indeed
drink the cup and know the baptism. James would be executed, and John would finish
His days in isolated confinement.
If the disciples figured to learn about leadership on the fast track and with
appropriate perks and bonuses, Jesus soon disillusioned them. What a shock it was to
discover that greatness comes through servanthood, and leadership through becoming a
slave of all.
Only once in all the recorded words of Jesus did our Lord announce that He would
provide an example for the disciples, and then He washed their feet (John 13:15). Only
once in the rest of the New Testament does a writer offer an example ( 1 Peter 2:21),
and that is an example of suffering. Serving and suffering are paired in the teaching and
life of our Lord. One does not come without the other. And what servant is greater than
the Lord?
THE SPIRIT OR SERVANTHOOD
Jesus teaching on servanthood and suffering was not intended merely to inspire
good behavior. Jesus wanted to impart the spirit of servanthood, the sense of personal
commitment and identity that He expressed when He said, I am among you as He who
serves (Luke 22:27). Mere acts of service could be performed with motives far from
spiritual.

In Isaiah 42, we read about the attitudes and inner motives that the coming Messiah
would demonstrate as the ideal servant of the Lord. Where Israel failed to live up to this
ideal, the Messiah would succeed. And the principles of His life would be a pattern for
ours.
Dependence. Here is my servant, whom I uphold (Isaiah 42:1). This verse speaks of
the coming Messiah. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy by emptying himself of divine
prerogative (made himself nothing, Philipians 2:7). He surrendered the privileges of
His God nature and became dependent on His heavenly Father. He fully identified
Himself with our humanity. What a staggering paradox. As we become empty of self
and dependent on God, the Holy Spirit will use us.
Approval. my chosen one in whom I delight (Isaiah 42:1). God took great delight in
His servant Jesus. And that delight was reciprocal. In another Old Testament reference to
the to the coming Messiah, the Son testifies, I delight to do Thy will, O my God (Psalm
40:8 kjv).
Modesty. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streers (Isaiah 42:2).
Neither strident nor flamboyant, Gods servant conduct a ministry that appears almost
self-effacing. What a contrast to the arrogant self-advertisting of so many hypesters today,
both in and out of the church.
On this very point the devil tempted Jesus, urging him to attempt a headlinegrabbing leap from the rooftop of the temple (Matthew 4:5). But Jesus did not seek
headlines and did not fall to the plot.
So quiet and unobtrusive is the great Servants work that many today doubt His very
existence. Jesus exemplifies the description of God found later in Isaiah: Truly you are a
God who hides himself (Isaiah 45:15). This quality seems to be shared among all the
host of heaven. Even the picture given to us of the cherubim Gods angel servant use
four of their six wings to conceal their faces and feet. They, too, are content with hidden
service (Isaiah 6:2).
Empathy. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff
out (Isaiah 42:3). The Lords servant is sympathetic with the weak, mercifully
understanding toward those who err. How often do people who fail wear the treadmarks
of fellow pilgrims. But the ideal Servant does not run over the weak and failing. He
mends bruises and fans the weak spirit into a flame.
Many of us, even Christian workers, see a person whose life is a wreak and pass
by on the other side. We seek a ministry more rewarding and worthy of our talents than
bearing up the frail side of humanity. But from Gods point of view, it is noble work to
reclaim the worlds downtrodden people.
How dimly Peters own wick burned in the judgment hall, but what a blaze on the day of
Pentecost! Gods ideal Servant made that miserable mans life brilliant flame.

Optimism. He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth

(Isaiah 42:4). Pessimism and leadership are at opposite ends of lifes attitudes. Hope and
optimism are essential qualities for the servant of God who battles with the powers of
darkness over the souls of men and women. Gods ideal Servant is opmistic until every
part of Gods work is done.
Anointing. I will put my spirit on him (Isaiah 42:1). None of these leadership qualities
dependence, approval, modesty, empathy, or optimism - are sufficient for the task.
Without the touch of the supernatural, these qualities are dry as dust. And so the Holy
Spirit comes to rest upon and dwell in the ideal Servant. You know how God anointed
Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good
(Acts 10:37-38). Jesus ministry began when the Spirit descended at His baptism, and
then how the Servant began to shake the world!
Are we greater than our Lord? Can we do effective ministry without the Spirit of God
working through us at every step? God offers us the same anointing. May we follow close
to the great Servant, and receive the Spirit who shows us more of the Master.

The Masters
Master Principle

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first
must be slave of all.
Mark 10:43-44

Mengenai pentingnya pemimpin yg cakap dalam gereja dan dalam dunia bisnis juga
pemerintahan kita mungkin mengharapkan Alkitab akan menggunakan istilah itu lebih sering.
Nyatanya, Alkitab KJV (dimana banyak dipakai oleh angkatan saya) menggunakan istilah
pemimpin hanya enam kali. Istilah yg lebih sering digunakan untuk peran itu disebu hamba. Kita
tidak membaca tentang Musa pemimpinku, tapi Musa, hambaku. Dan inilah yg benar
diajarkan oleh Kristus.
Yesus adalah seorang yg revolusioner, bukan dalam nuansa perang gerilya, namun dalam
pengajarannya tentang kepemimpinan. Istilah hamba berbicara tentang rendahnya martabat,
rendahnya penghormatan, dan rendahnya penghargaan. Banyak orang tidak tertarik kepada peran
yg demikian rendah. ketika Yesus menggunakan istilah tersebut, bagaimanapun, adalah
persamaan dari keagungan. Dan hal itu adalah ide yg revolusioner.
Kristus mengajarkan bahwa Kerajaan Allah adalah sebuah komunitas dimana tiap
anggota melayani yg lain. Paulus menulis dengan cara yg sama: layanilah seorang akan yg lain
dengan kasih (Galatia 5:13). Pelayanan kasih kita seharusnya menyebar juga kepada dunia yg
membutuhkan di sekeliling kita. Namun pada banyak gereja, hanya sedikit orang yg memikul
beban itu.
Yesus tahu bahwa ide mengenai seorang pemimpin sebagai hamba yg mengasihi semua
tidak akan muncul pada kebanyakan orang. Mengamankan kenyamanan pribadi kita adalah misi
yg lebih umum. Tapi hamba adalah persyaratan bagi mereka yg ingin memimpin dalam
Kerajaan-Nya.
Perbedaan tajam antara pemikiran umum tentang kepemimpinan dan revolusi yg Yesus
beritakan dijelaskan dengan baik di Markus 10:42-43: Kamu tahu, bahwa mereka yang disebut
pemerintah bangsa-bangsa memerintah rakyatnya dengan tangan besi, dan pembesarpembesarnya menjalankan kuasanya dengan keras atas mereka. Tidaklah demikian di antara
kamu. Barangsiapa ingin menjadi besar di antara kamu, hendaklah ia menjadi pelayanmu,
Ini adalah ide revolusioner bahkan bagi mereka orang terdekat dengan Yesus, Yakobus
dan Yohanes, memakai ibunya yg ambisius dengan tujuan mengamankan posisi tinggi untuk
kerajaan yg akan datang, sebelum sepuluh murid lainnya menerimanya. Dua orang murid ini
mengambil dengan serius tentang janji duduk dalam tahta kemuliaan dan menghakimi suku-suku
Israel. (Matius 19:28), tapi mereka salah mengerti mengenai cara untuk sampai kesana.

Meskipun mereka bersahabat, Yesus tidak memberikan sedikitpun ruang bagi keinginan
mereka. Kamu tidak tahu apa yang kamu minta, adalah jawaban dari Tuhan (Matius 20:22)
Yakobus dan Yohanes menginginkan kemuliaan, bukan cawan kehinaan; mahkota, bukan salib;
peran sebagai tuan, bukan hamba. Yesus menggunakan kesempatan ini untuk sampai kepada dua
prinsip kepeminpin yg jangan sampai dilupakan oleh gereja.

Kekuasan Kepemimpin Spiritual. Tetapi hal duduk di sebelah kanan-Ku atau di sebelah
kiri-Ku, Aku tidak berhak memberikannya. Itu akan diberikan kepada orang-orang bagi
siapa itu telah disediakan." (Markus 10:40)
Tanggapan yg lebih umum mungkin akan seperti ini: Kehormatan dan Jabatan adalah
bagi mereka yg sudah mempersiapkan dirinya untuk itu, dan bekerja dengan sangat keras
untuk mendapatkannya. Tapi disini kita melihat perbedaan dasar antara ajaran Yesus
dengan pemikiran manusia kita. Allah menempatkan pelayanan spiritual dan
kepemimpinan dalam kehendakNya yg berdaulat. GNB menerjemahkan ayat 40: Allah
yg akan memberikan tempat itu bagi mereka yg sudah dipersiapkannya.

Penderitaan Pemimpin Spiritual. Dapatkah kamu meminum cawan yang harus

Kuminum dan dibaptis dengan baptisan yang harus Kuterima?" (Markus 10:38)
Tidak ada perlindungan disini. Tidak bisa mengelak dari kenyataan yg keras. Yesus
dengan jujur dan sederhana memberitahukan harga yg harus dibayar dari pelayanan
dalam Kerajaan-Nya. Tugas yang besar dan sulit; pria dan wanita yg menjadi pemimpin
dalam tugas itu harus membuka mata lebar-lebar, dan hati yg rindu untuk mengikuti
Tuannya kemanapun.
Pertanyaan Tuhan yg menyelidik itu dijawab dengan cepat oleh murid-murid, Kami
dapat. Betapa tragis/menyedihkan jawaban itu karena kurangnya wawasan (perspektif).
Tapi Yesus tahu apa yg ada di depan. Mereka memang akan minum cawan itu dan tahu
tentang baptisan. Yakobus akan dieksekusi, dan Yohanes akan menghabiskan hidupnya
dalam pengasingan.
Jika para murid mengira akan belajar mengenai kepemimpinan dalam jalur cepat dan
dengan penghasilan dan bonus, Yesus pasti akan mengecewakan mereka. Betapa
mengejutkannya ketika mengetahui bahwa keagungan/kemuliaan datang melalui
perhambaan, dan kepemimpinan dengan menjadi hamba dari semua.
Hanya sekali saja dalam perkataan Yesus yg dicatat, Tuhan kita memberitahukan bahwa
Dia akan memberi contoh bagi murid-murid, dan kemudia Dia membasuh kaki mereka
(Yohanes 13:15). Hanya satu kali saja dari Kitab dalam PB si penulis memberikan sebuah
contoh (1 Petrus 2:21) dan itu adalah contoh untuk menderita. Melayani dan menderi
dipasangkan dalam pengajaran dan kehidupan Tuhan kita. Yang satu tidak dapat berdiri
sendiri. Dan hamba mana yg lebih besar daripada Tuhan?

ROH HAMBA

Pengajaran Yesus tentang hamba dan penderitaan tidak ditujukan semata-mata demii
perilaku yg baik. Yesus ingin memberitahukan tentang roh seorang hamba, kesadaran
komitmen personal dan identitas yg Dia nyatakan ketika Dia mengatakan, Tetapi Aku
ada di tengah-tengah kamu sebagai pelayan. (Lukas 22:27). Hanya sedikit tindakan
pelayana bisa ditampilkan dengan motif yg jauh dari spiritual.
Dalam Yesasa 42, kita membaca tentang perilaku dan motif internal yang akan di
contohkan oleh Mesias yg akan datang sebagai pelayan Tuhan yg ideal. Ketika Israel
gagal untuk hidup menurut ini dengan sempurna, sang Mesias akan berhasil. Dan prinsi
hidup-Nya seharusnya menjadi contoh bagi kita.
Ketergantungan. Lihat, itulah hambaKu yg Kupegang. (Yesaya 42:1). Ayat ini
berbicara tentang Mesias yg akan datang. Yesus menggenapkan nubuatan ini dengan
mengosongkan dirinya sendiri dari hak-hak prerogatif yg penuh kemuliaan (divine
prerogative) (made himself nothing / made himself no reputation / mengosongkan
dirinya Filipi 2:7). Dia menyerahkan hak-hak keTuhanan-Nya dan menjadi tergantung
pada Bapa-Nya yg di sorga. Dia sepenuhnya mengidentifikasi diriNya dengan kita
manusia. Paradox yg sangat mengejutkan. Ketika kita mengosongkan diri dan bergantung
kepada Tuhan, Roh Kudus akan memakai kita.

Berkenan. orang pilihan-Ku, yang kepadaNya Aku berkenan (Yesaya 42:1). Tuhan
sangan berkenan dengan Yesus sebagai hamba. Dan perkenanan itu bersifat saling
(reciprocal). Pada bagian lain PL merujuk kepada Mesias yg akan datang, sang Putra
bersaksi, Aku suka melakukan kehendak-Mu, ya Allahku
I delight to do Thy will, O my God (Mazmur 40:8 KJV)

Rendah Hati. Ia tidak akan berteriak atau menyaringkan suara atau memperdengarkan
suaranya di jalan (Yesaya 42:2). Tidak ramai suara atau penuh semarak (flamboyan),
pelayan Tuhan melaksanakan pelayanan yg hampir tidak menonjolkan diri sendiri (selfeffacing). Sangat berbeda dengan banyaknya hypester saat ini yg arogan menunjukkan
dirinya sendiri, baik di dalam maupun di luar gereja.
hypester = a person or organization that gives an idea or product intense publicity in
order to promote it.
seseorang atau organisasi yg memberikan ide atau menghasilkan publisitas (pemasaran)
yg giat dengan tujuan mempromosikannya.

Pada titik ini Iblis mencobai Yesus, mendesak Dia untuk mencoba membuat Berita
Utama, melompat dari atap Bait Suci (Matius 4:5). Tapi Tuhan Yesus tidak mencari
sensasi berita utama dan tidak jatuh dalam pencobaan itu.
Begitu senyap dan tidak menonjol adalah pekerjaan Hamba Agung yg hingga sekarang
masih banyak diragukan. Yesus mencontohkan penjelasan dari Tuhan dalam Yesaya:
ungguh, Engkau Allah yang menyembunyikan diri, Allah Israel, Juruselamat. (Yesaya
45:15). Kualitas ini yg sepertinya harus dibagikan kepada semua empunya surga. Bahkan
gambaran mengenai Kerubim Malaikat Pelayan Allah menggunakan 4 dari 6
sayapnya untuk menutup wajah dan kakinya. Mereka juga diisi dengan pelayanan yg
tersembunyi (Yesaya 6:2)

Empati. Buluh yang patah terkulai tidak akan diputuskannya, dan sumbu yang pudar
nyalanya tidak akan dipadamkannya. (Yesaya 42:3). Hamba Tuhan bersimpati pada yg
lemah, penuh belas kasihan mengerti kepada mereka yg berdosa. Seberapa sering orangorang gagal mengenakan tanda para peziarah. Tapi Pelayan yg ideal tidak menindas yg
lemah dan gagal. Dia menyembuhkan luka dan mengobarkan semangat yg patah menjadi
api yg menyala-nyala.
Banyak dari kita, bahkan pekerja Kristen, melihat orang lain lemah dan
mengacuhkannya. Kita mencari pelayanan yg menghasilkan dan menghargai talenta kita
daripada memikul sisi kemanusiaan yg lemah. Tapi dari sudut pandang Allah, hal itu
adalah pekerjaan yg mulia untuk mengangkat orang-orang yg sudah terhempas dalam
dunia.
Bagaimana remang Petrus sendiri sumbu dibakar di Balai Penghakiman, tapi apa kobaran
api pada hari Pentakosta! Hamba Tuhan ideal membuat orang sengsara hidup brilian api.
Optimisme. "Dia tidak akan goyah atau berkecil
hati sampai dia menetapkan keadilan di bumi" (Yesaya 42:4). Pesimisme dan kepemimpinan
yang di seberang ujung sikap hidup. Harapan dan optimisme adalah kualitas yang penting u
ntuk hamba Tuhan yang pertempuran dengan kuasa-kuasa kegelapan jiwa-jiwa pria dan wan
ita. Hamba Tuhan yang ideal optimis sampai setiap bagian dari pekerjaan Tuhan dilakukan

Many of us, even Christian workers, see a person whose life is a wreak and pass
by on the other side. We seek a ministry more rewarding and worthy of our talents than
bearing up the frail side of humanity. But from Gods point of view, it is noble work to
reclaim the worlds downtrodden people.
How dimly Peters own wick burned in the judgment hall, but what a blaze on the day of
Pentecost! Gods ideal Servant made that miserable mans life brilliant flame.
Optimism. He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth
(Isaiah 42:4). Pessimism and leadership are at opposite ends of lifes attitudes. Hope and

optimism are essential qualities for the servant of God who battles with the powers of
darkness over the souls of men and women. Gods ideal Servant is opmistic until every
part of Gods work is done.
Anointing. I will put my spirit on him (Isaiah 42:1). None of these leadership qualities
dependence, approval, modesty, empathy, or optimism - are sufficient for the task.
Without the touch of the supernatural, these qualities are dry as dust. And so the Holy
Spirit comes to rest upon and dwell in the ideal Servant. You know how God anointed
Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good
(Acts 10:37-38). Jesus ministry began when the Spirit descended at His baptism, and
then how the Servant began to shake the world!
Are we greater than our Lord? Can we do effective ministry without the Spirit of God
working through us at every step? God offers us the same anointing. May we follow close
to the great Servant, and receive the Spirit who shows us more of the Master.