“I am thirsty.” –John 19:28
Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:25–27 NLT)
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” We’ve all likely seen this idea play out in the world around us. One of the best examples is that of an elder sibling lording over the rest of the children while their parents run an errand. Those who are given unchecked authority, even in small doses or temporary circumstances, tend to use that power to their advantage more often than not. This sort of power-mad corruption is antithetical to the way of Jesus. “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (Philippians 2:6–7).
Jesus becoming a man was the ultimate act of humility. Those of us who seek to follow Jesus should seek His way of humility, not power. Andrew Murray summarized humility thusly, “The root of all virtue and grace, of all faith and acceptable worship, is that we know that we have nothing but what we receive, and bow in deepest humility to wait upon God for it.” Consider how you can be a servant to those in your life, especially those over whom you hold some measure of authority.