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One day Jesus called His twelve apostles, gave them authority over unclean spirits and to cast them out, heal diseases and sent them to preach to the Israelites (Matthew Chapter 10). Luke states that Christ gave them authority and power (Luke 9:1-2).
But before the apostles went, Jesus gave them detailed facts, instructions and warnings. In verses 24 and 25, our Lord uttered words that call for deeper reflections, considerations and applications.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master…” (Matthew 10:24-25).
All Christians including pastors are disciples of Jesus Christ and all are servants of the glorious Lord. These are facts all must understand and observe.
Sometimes, some church leaders are tempted to think and behave in such a way that they are above Christ Jesus. But we are not. Christ is above; we are below in the context of position, innocence, excellence, blamelessness and acceptance in the eyes of men.
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world, taking the form of a servant to serve humanity. As God-man, Christ was a minister par-excellence. He went about doing good, serving with unparalleled compassion, empathy and love.
Moreover, Jesus Christ served in humility having emptied Himself or set aside His divine rights and privileges and accepting the limitations of ordinary human being (Philippians 2:5-8).
In spite of these unique qualities Jesus Christ exhibited, He was persecuted as He was maligned, insulted, despised, mocked, rejected, betrayed and finally crucified.
So, Jesus draws pastors’ attention to the fact that “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.” This means in our walk with the Lord, a pastor cannot be greater or better than Christ in any way.
First, it is required that church leaders be found humble and obedient in all things just as the Master, Christ Jesus, was. We can be found with these qualities when we diligently imitate Christ and learn from Him.
Second, it is expected that Christians, especially leaders learn to endure campaign of calumny, intimidation, name-calling, insults, betrayal and rejection while performing their duties as ministers of the gospel.
To this end, Jesus reminds His servants that “It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master…” (Matthew 10:25).
Christian leaders must brace themselves to develop and exhibit the Christ-like character of humility, gentleness and be tolerant even in the face of persecution in the world just as Jesus did.
Jesus reminds us, saying, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master. ’If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours” (John 15:20).
If the earliest apostles understood and applied the instructions of Jesus while ministering in the Graeco-Roman world, we also can do same in the 21st Century for the glory of God.
By James Quansah
