The cup and baptism: Metaphors of servant leadership in Mark 10:38–39

Abstract

This chapter is part of the fourth Christian Leadership Conference theme “Metaphors of leadership or leading by metaphors”. In the chapter, I present “cup” and “baptism” as metaphors of servant leadership in Mark 10:38–39. A literature review on the two verses, Mark 10:38–39, will assist with an understanding of the key message in the text. I will then explore various possible biblical and metaphorical denotations of the “cup” and “baptism”, and apply the implications in Mark 10:38–39 to the matter of servant leadership. The chapter will illustrate that the call by Jesus for his disciples to drink his cup and to be baptised with his baptism is a timely reminder that occupying positions of greatness in the kingdom of God may involve suffering. It is a call for leaders around the world to endure hardship and tribulation with the hope of an eschatological vindication. It is also a call for leaders to embrace a leadership of serving others rather than seeking to attain positions and places of honour. According to Greenleaf (1997:14), servant leaders demand to serve first and to acquire a position later. In other words, they seek primarily to minister and they become great because of their attitude towards serving.