Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

This year my wife turned 42. As she pondered what God has in store for her in 2024, it occurred to her that she would be 42 in 24, which birthed this week’s focus on Inversion. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, inversion is a reversal of position, order, form, or relationship. That definition made me think of God’s positional hierarchy in His Kingdom, which we’ll consider today.

Luke 22:24‭-‬26 (NLT) shares…
Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men Lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.

Consider…
Most human beings want to be great at something. To be known for something they excel at more than others. And when they discover what makes them great, it becomes their life quest to be the best.

It is a natural obsession to want to be the best, and the disciples of Jesus were no different than anyone else. In fact, it makes sense that they would ponder what positions they would hold in God’s Kingdom, after all, they were chosen by the King Himself. But look at Jesus’ response to them and us, in today’s scripture…
Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.
🤯

It’s this mind blowing statement from Jesus that inspired today’s title of “The Great Inversion”.

It’s also noteworthy that Jesus first acknowledged the world’s leadership practices…
In this world the kings and great men Lord it over their people.

For example, how many of us worked, or work, for the boss who makes it clear that they are in charge? How many of us are that boss? Or have had parents that made it clear “it’s my way or the highway”, meaning follow their rules or get out of their house? How many of us are that parent?

Whenever we’re more obsessed with having our way over others, rather than making a way for them, we’re just like the kings and great men that Lord it over their people, that Jesus referenced.

It’s a natural tendency to pump up our self-worth and assert positional superiority over those we deem inferior to us. However, that’s not biblical. Philippians 2:3 (ERV) echorts us…
In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves.

However, Jesus’ example is even greater than Paul’s exhortation. Do you remember when Jesus washed His disciples feet? Recall what He said in John 13:12‭-‬15 (ERV) after He finished…
When Jesus finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and went back to the table. He asked, “Do you understand what I did for you? You call me ‘Teacher.’ And you call me ‘Lord.’ And this is right, because that is what I am. I am your Lord and Teacher. But I washed your feet. So you also should wash each other’s feet. I did this as an example for you. So you should serve each other just as I served you.
🤯

Yet again, Jesus blows our minds with His humility displayed in His servant leadership. However, there was something else very significant that Jesus did in washing His followers feet that is a true test/standard of servant leadership. Jesus washed Judas’ feet, knowing that he would betray him.

Jesus served His enemy, would you?

Lastly, let’s be inspired by Jesus’ own words about His leadership philosophy and style. In Mark 10:45 (ERV) He said…
Follow my example: Even the Son of Man did not come for people to serve him. He came to serve others and to give his life to save many people.”

So today, I encourage you to be a great leader for God by serving others just like Him. That includes serving the Judas’ He’s placed in your life.

Servant leadership is God’s great inversion. Go and lead, inverted for Him.

Today’s song is…
Help Somebody
https://youtu.be/fGdxCdasDSU?si=BmOSExy9WwkwLK2H

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)