Leading with Bold Humility
“Sons of Thunder.” Surely any Reformed pastor or elder would love to belong to the club with that name bestowed on them for their bold stand for the gospel. Especially if such a moniker was given to them by the Lord Himself! Having a John Knox-like reputation for powerful gospel thundering is every true preacher’s dream.
Yet for two of Jesus’ disciples, this epithet came to them not as a compliment but as a rebuke. And in giving two leading disciples such a designation, the Lord Jesus has forever reminded His church that though He desires boldness among His leaders, He expects that boldness to be tempered with humility.
We read of this nickname for two Apostles in the list of the twelve disciples given to us in the gospel of Mark. After spending a night in prayer on a mountain, Jesus summoned the twelve men whom He wanted to follow Him. Included among these men were two brothers, “James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder)” (Mark 3:17). The immediate context does not explain why they were given this label, but a brief look gives a ready explanation for it.
James and John were fishermen when they were called by Christ (Matt. 4:21). Undoubtedly they were rough-and-tumble men ready to take on the hardships of the kingdom, which they did for three years with Christ. Through this time, we see the disposition that earned them this nickname.
When Jesus and His disciples were passing by a Samaritan village near the time Christ was to suffer, the inhabitants were unwilling to receive them. Hearing of this affront, James and John asked in unison, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” (Luke 9:54). They wanted to be the next Elijah and Elisha of the kingdom of God, thundering judgment down on their adversaries. Yet instead of commending them for their boldness, Jesus rebuked them for missing the spirit of His compassionate leadership.
Perhaps even more telling of their hearts is an incident that soon followed. As they came even nearer to Jerusalem, Jesus shared with His disciples the suffering and death He was about to undergo there. Rather than being heartbroken over this news, James and John instead take this moment to approach Jesus with an audacious request. They ask to be rewarded with sitting at His side in His kingdom (Mark 10:35–37). Once again, Jesus corrected them, reminding them that drinking His cup of suffering as a servant, rather than seeking self-glory, is the true call of His kingdom (Mark 10:38–45).
The story of James and John guides us into three key practices of bold humility in leadership that should be learned and developed.
Bold Humility Endures Suffering
Bold humility recognizes that suffering for the flock is inherent in the call to lead. As Jesus dealt with the impudence of James and John, He kept reminding them of His own suffering. He told them He was going to the cross. He explained that He could not promise them positions of honor, but He could assure them they would drink from His cup. Our Lord’s correction of the Sons of Thunder was not in vain. Eventually they became the first and last of the Twelve to give their lives for the sake of the gospel (Acts 12:2; John 21:23–24).
Bold humility recognizes that suffering for the flock is inherent in the call to lead.
The collection of Puritan prayers called The Valley of Vision receives its name from a line in one of its selections. The Christian leader would do well to regularly pray its sentiment that suffering and humility are the way to leadership and responsibility. Going through the valley with people is the way to true leadership vision.
Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
. . . that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
Bold Humility Faces Opposition
Bold humility is practiced by leaders as they deal patiently and gently with those in opposition. I’ll never forget the shock as a young minister. I was in a meeting in the courts of the church when a sensitive issue was on the floor. A middle-aged man arose and began yelling for fifteen minutes or more, roaring at those on the other side of the issue. Like a candidate in a modern-day presidential debate, he ignored the feeble attempts of the moderator to quiet him down as they infuriated him all the more. I do not recall the issue, but I do remember this individual lost more than just the vote that day.
Whether desiring to call down fire from heaven like the Sons of Thunder or simply sounding like thunder in an argument, sinful anger in a Christian leader is unbecoming, unwise, and self-defeating. For heavenly wisdom reveals itself in being peaceable and gentle with others (James 3:17). As Paul told Timothy, “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition” (2 Tim. 2:24–25, NASB). A gentle answer is what breaks bones and persuades stubborn hearts (Prov. 25:15).
Bold Humility Receives the Love of Christ
Bold humility saturates the leader’s soul and character as he has greater experiences of Christ’s love for him. Eventually the Apostle John received another label. He became known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, 20). John grew in his realization of Christ’s love as he saw Jesus die on the cross, discovered the empty tomb, and touched his risen Savior. In turn, John became the disciple known to stress the love of God and the need for Christ’s disciples to love one another (John 13:34–35; 1 John 2:10, 3:11).
As the Christian leader grows in his knowledge of God’s love as seen in the gospel, he will not be able to restrain his tongue regarding the love of our Creator. He will strongly proclaim God’s love for lost sinners and urgently call people to faith and repentance. He will never tire of reminding the family of God of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit’s eternal love for them as seen in the gospel. Secure in the knowledge of Christ, he will model Jesus. He will be gentle as a lamb with God’s people yet bold as a lion in protecting them from those who would do them spiritual harm. Like John, he will be defined by the love of Christ.
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Barry York
Dr. Barry J. York is president and professor of pastoral theology and homiletics at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh. He is author of Hitting the Marks.