Together in Christ: 'The Test of a True Shepherd' — John 10:10-11

Jesus made clear to His closest disciples the test of true leaders: They must be willing to give up their lives for their sheep. God's leaders are not in leadership to acquire status, receive accolades, gain notoriety, or exercise power. ^[1] While those honors may come to godly leaders, the honors must not be their motive for serving! They lead because they love Jesus and His people. They want to bless, protect, and mature Jesus' followers to become like Him. ^[2] Godly leaders serve following Jesus' example of serving; they lay down their lives to bless His people. ^[3]

When selecting leaders for God's people, His church or groups, we need to use Jesus' standard for leaders - the greatest in His Kingdom is a servant, ^[4] and those who wield authority and bully people must not be selected as leaders of God's people. ^[5] Business success is honorable, but it is not necessarily the proving ground for godly leaders. The faithfulness of potential leaders' children and the spirituality of their families is one of God's proving grounds for godly leaders. ^[6] We do not want to select folks who lead for their self-interest but rather those who have the spiritual well-being, care, and protection of God's people at heart. Bottom line, Jesus' example must be our leaders' leadership style:

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

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. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on the cross. ^[7]

Jesus came to give us life to the full, a rich and satisfying life, and He sacrificed His life to lead, serve, and save us. God's leaders follow Jesus' servant-leadership style, which is why we should honor them for their service! ^[8]