THE MASTER’S MODEL

“For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” – John 13:15

None other compares with the MASTER’S MODEL of Ministry and Leadership: “You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13: 13-15). This is the divinely displayed Model of Servant leadership where true greatness is demonstrated through humble, selfless service to others. Our Lord Jesus, as the ultimate Authority, intentionally took on the role of the lowest servant to set a practical example for His followers to emulate.

Today’s meditation passage and allied scriptures highlight these core principles:

Humility: Our Lord Jesus, knowing He had come from God and was returning to God, humbled Himself to perform a task typically reserved for the lowest household slave, challenging conventional ideas of power, positions, and status (vv.3-4). Leaders are called to do nothing out of selfish ambition, but in humility to value others above themselves (Phi. 2:3).

Servanthood: Our Lord exemplified this by washing His disciples' feet, an act typically performed by the lowest servant (vv.5-7). He explicitly taught that greatness in His kingdom is measured by service (Mt.20:25-28).

Selfless Love: Our Lord’s action was motivated by His love for His disciples and foreshadowed His ultimate act of self-sacrifice on the cross for humanity's salvation. By putting the interests, empowerment, and development of followers first, leaders help them reach their potential, which in turn benefits the entire community or organization.

Leading by Example: Our Lord explicitly intended His act as an example (v.15). Leaders are expected to be and set examples for others to follow, in conduct, love, faith, and purity, modelling the behaviour expected from others (1 Pet.5:3; 1Tim.4:12).

Service in Action: The Master’s Model emphasizes practical action over position or mere verbal instruction. He didn't just talk about service; He established it physically, intentionally, and passed the baton: “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (v.17).

Mutual Servanthood: The command is for believers to "wash one another's feet" (v.14b). This promotes a community where mutual care and service are the norms, rather than a hierarchical structure of authority, control, or privilege.

The Master’s Model is not political power-play or rivalry. It is not authoritarian in attitude or controlling in nature (Lk.22: 24-27). It is humble servanthood, faithful stewardship, people-focused, not merely task-oriented, and based on Grace, not exploitation through position or power. By this radical redefinition of leadership and greatness, in contrast to worldly leadership where rulers "lord it over" others, our Lord teaches that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is measured by how we serve others.