Counsel #3 — Masculine Humble Leadership

Picture: Counsel #3 — Masculine Humble LeadershipCI 76.1

Jesus, the sovereign King of kings and Lord of lords, demonstrated servant leadership throughout His entire incarnational life. He never engaged in bullying, dictatorial, controlling behavior. His character was the essence of humility. When no servant appeared to wash the dirty feet of the guests at His Last Supper, Jesus Himself knelt before His disciples to carry out the menial task.CI 76.2

God’s intention for the “head of the family” isn’t for him to be a boss, a tyrant, or even necessarily like society’s typical idea of a leader. Rather, He wants a man to have a sacrificial willingness to lay down his life for his wife and children, to consider their needs above his own, and to model the unselfishness of Christ in his thoughts, words, and actions.^{[73]https://caymanadventist.org/gift-to-the-humble-the-munches/}CI 76.3

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5, 8 NKJVCI 76.4

“It is no evidence of manliness in the husband for him to dwell constantly upon his position as head of the family. It does not increase respect for him to hear him quoting Scripture to sustain his claims to authority. It will not make him more manly to require his wife, the mother of his children, to act upon his plans as if they were infallible.” Ellen White in The Adventist Home, p. 215 CI 76.5

Reflect: How is Jesus’ model of servant leadership different than the “I’m the boss; do what I say” model? CI 76.6