Old Testament
Psalm 78:70-72
70 He also chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds;
71 from following the ewes that have their young, he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and Israel, his inheritance.
72 So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
New Testament
Matthew 20:25-28
25 But Jesus summoned them, and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
26 It shall not be so amongst you; but whoever desires to become great amongst you shall be your servant.
27 Whoever desires to be first amongst you shall be your bondservant,
28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Psalm 78 ends with an image of leadership that begins far from a throne. God takes David from the sheepfolds and makes him shepherd of a people. The last line is a quiet standard: he shepherded them with integrity of heart, and guided them with skilful hands.
Jesus names the counterfeit: rulers who ‘lord it over’ others. And then he names the true shape of authority in his kingdom: whoever would be great must be a servant. The Son of Man himself gives his life as a ransom.
Leadership that reflects God’s character is therefore neither glamorous nor cruel. It is patient, attentive, and willing to carry the cost of responsibility. Authority is for lifting burdens, not adding them. It is strong enough to be gentle, and honest enough to be corrected. We learn this first by watching Jesus wash feet and carry a cross.
Lord Jesus, form leaders who shepherd rather than dominate. Give integrity of heart and skill of hand to those who serve in government, business, and community life. Teach us, in whatever authority we hold, to love as those who have been served by you, and give us hearts that do not crave being noticed at all.