Jesus as a servant leader: The ultimate example

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In western culture, leadership is often synonymous with authority, power, and control. Leaders are celebrated for their ability to command respect, wield influence, and achieve results. But, when we turn to the life of Jesus, we encounter a radically different model of leadership—one grounded not in dominance but in service; not in self-promotion but in self-sacrifice. 

The roots of servant leadership in the Bible lie in humility (Philippians 2:3-8) and love (John 15:13). True leadership, according to Jesus, is not about seeking to be served but about serving others (Mark 10:45). It is about stewarding influence for the good of others, lifting them up, and pointing them toward God’s glory rather than our own.

But what can we learn specifically from Jesus and how he led others?

What was Jesus’ leadership really like?

The concept of servant leadership is woven throughout Scripture and finds its perfect embodiment in Jesus Christ. In John 13, we see a striking example: the King of kings kneeling to wash the feet of His disciples, a task reserved for the lowliest servant. 

Jesus reminds His followers, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15, NIV). His entire ministry reflects humility, love, and a heart devoted to serving others—even to the point of laying down His life.

Here are a handful of other passages that demonstrate Jesus’ humility and heart for servant leadership in his teaching:

• “Jesus called them together and said, ‘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 first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”” (Mark 10:42-45)
• “But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:26-27)
• “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12)

But did Jesus actually live like a leader as servant? Or did he just teach about it?

5 examples of Jesus being a servant leader

Could the son of God actually have lived like a servant leader? If there was any leader in history who had a right to be strong and domineering in his leadership, wouldn’t it be Jesus? 

Perhaps, but he didn’t lead with dominance. He led with humility, love, and service. Let’s look at some examples of how Jesus lived a life of servant leadership.

1. Washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:12–17)

Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, which was a task reserved for the lowliest of servants in a household. Not only is it remarkable that Jesus did this, but he did it the night before he died to save the world from the grip of sin. This demonstrates humility and a willingness to put the needs of others before himself.

2. Feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13–21)

In miraculously providing food for five thousand people, Jesus demonstrates his care for the physical needs of others and his willingness to provide for those needs such that he is able. He also provides for spiritual needs in this ministry.

3. Healing the sick & touching the untouchables (Matthew 8:1–4)

Jesus and his ministry were characterized by engaging with the kinds of people that his culture rejected and pushed to the fringes. 

In his healing of the sick and physical ministry to the kinds of people that others avoided, Jesus showed his compassion for the marginalized. This is an evidence of true servant leadership, communicating that even the lowest people in a given cultural context were not below his love and care.

4. Praying for his disciples (John 17:9–19)

Jesus did not view his followers simply as people who existed to serve him and his ministry. He regularly served and ministered to his disciples, like in praying for them as we see in this passage. Jesus cares for the spiritual growth of others, and in this Jesus served the people.

5. Sacrificing himself on the cross (Philippians 2:6–8)

It may sound a bit cliché, but there is no greater example of true servant leaders than Christ dying on the cross for the sins of the world. Though he was God, he lowered himself to become a man, even to the level of a man who would die a sinner’s death on the cross. And he did all of this for the good of others.

5 ways we can reflect Jesus as a servant leader

So how might you, as a Christian, live as a servant leader in everyday life? What does it look like to replicate the servant leadership of Jesus today? Here are some practical ways to lead with a heart of a servant:

1. Put others first

It is so simple, but it can be so hard. In our brokenness and sin, we are always faced with the temptation to be selfish, to choose our wants and needs over the wants and needs of others. 

To be a servant leader is as simple as doing a chore around the house that you typically wouldn’t do, or driving a friend to the airport to save them some money, or sticking around to help clean up the church after an event. 

2. Meet practical needs

Everyone has needs they likely cannot fulfill themselves. Servant leaders look for ways to help fulfill the needs of others over and above their own. To be a servant leader is to help a friend move on the weekend, to provide free babysitting for a single mother in your neighborhood, or drive a family member to regular doctor’s appointments so they don’t have to go alone. All of these acts of service fill practical needs of others.

3. Show compassion to the marginalized

A hallmark of Jesus and his ministry of servant leadership was caring for the marginalized and those that societies would prefer to ignore. What might this look like for us today? 

To be a servant leader is to grab a meal for the homeless man on the corner by the fast food spot you frequent, to serve in pregnancy care centers for mothers in crisis, and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. 

Advocating for the marginalized is difficult and often heartbreaking work, but it is Christlike and pure servant leadership.

4. Pray for those you lead

Jesus, the epitome of servant leadership, regularly prayed for his followers and for the lost. If we find ourselves in positions of leadership, we would be good servant leaders if we take the time to pray for those whom we lead. 

To be a servant leader is to ask for prayer requests from those you lead, pray for those specific needs, and follow up to see how the Lord has worked in their lives.

5. Love through sacrifice

The heart of a servant is a heart ultimately characterized by sacrifice. We see this in the life of Christ and his sacrifice on the cross for the good of the world. 

To be a servant leader today is to lead in such a way that you treat the needs of those whom you lead as greater than your own. This requires the leader to know the situations and difficulties people face, and to figure out how to cede their own preferences for the good of someone else.

Becoming a Christ-like servant leader

For the Christian who wants to live a life of servant leadership, there is no greater model than the God-man himself, Jesus Christ who showed Christians how to lead others with a sacrificial heart rather than a domineering hand. 

Take a minute to consider how you, if you are a Christian in a position of leadership, may demonstrate the sacrificial heart of Christ in your leadership of others. 

Perhaps you may want to take some time to journal how you might implement some of the guidance provided in this article or even take some time to share when you have experienced Christ-like servant leadership. 

Jesus Christ is a leader unlike any mere human could ever truly be. He was also the perfect example of a servant leader—how might you be?

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