Leadership on your knees

True leadership isn’t about dominance, its focus is to lift others up, writes Mark Lyndon-Jones

In John 13:1–9, just hours before his crucifixion, Jesus performs a startling act: he kneels to wash his disciples’ feet. This moment, set against the shadow of the cross, offers men a transformative model of leadership, service, and love.

Sacrificial love
John 13 opens with Jesus fully aware of his impending death. Yet, rather than demanding honour from his disciples, he “showed them the full extent of his love” by doing the work of a servant. In that ancient culture, foot-washing was reserved for the lowest of household workers. Peter’s resistance — “Lord, are you washing my feet?” — reveals how shocking this act was. But Jesus insisted: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” His humility wasn’t optional – it was central to his mission.

Humility in service
Several years ago, I led an MPower short-term mission team to the Democratic Republic of Congo. One of the most humbling – and blessed – experiences of my life was when, at a special service, our mission team of men knelt down and washed the feet of the women there who had been subjected to rape as a weapon of war. Our heart was to offer them an alternative experience of masculinity, one which had been harnessed by the love of Christ.

Called to servanthood
Just as Jesus stripped off his outer garment to wash his disciples’ feet, he would later surrender his life to cleanse humanity from sin. At Easter we celebrate his victory over death, but it’s grounded in his choice to serve. For men, this redefines strength. True leadership isn’t about dominance – it’s about stooping to lift others up.

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.