Rank

 The Gospel this coming Sunday is a familiar one.  John the Baptist gives way to, and recognizes, Jesus' authority as the Son of God.  (John 1:29-34). John remarks that "a man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me".

Rank.  We often think of rank as the idea that someone with a higher rank directs and controls someone with a lower rank.  But shouldn't it be the opposite?  Shouldn't the person of higher rank serve those beneath them, while guiding their actions and helping them fulfill their role in the overall mission?  Jesus thought so.  He was the Son of God, yet served to the point of His own obedient death.  

Unfortunately, our governmental "leaders" can often fail to see this.  They think of themselves as "in charge", to their own benefit, rather than to the benefit of their constituents.  Indeed, their benefit is too often to the detriment of their constituents.  

Jesus never fails to see what true leadership means.  And He gives us His example and encourages us to follow it.  Let us always try to remember what true leadership looks like.