Leading with Love: Humility at the Heart of Pastoral Leadership.

Beloved, as we embark on this journey of “Leading with Love: Pastoral Leadership Rooted in Humility,” let us first remember the gentle, yet powerful example set by Yeshua, our Shepherd King. His way of leading wasn’t by demand, position, or control, but through humility, service, and sacrificial love. In a world where leadership is often measured by authority or recognition, Yeshua turns the system upside down and calls us to lead as He led—by getting low, lifting others, and loving deeply. In John 13, after washing His disciples’ feet, Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet... For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”

The call to pastoral leadership is a call to servanthood. It is a posture of heart that says, “How can I care for the flock Yahweh has entrusted to me? How can I reflect His heart in every action, word, and decision?” The apostle Paul urges us in Philippians 2, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus... who made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.” It’s a call away from pride or self-promotion, and a call to consider others above ourselves—whether in the quiet, unnoticed acts of care, or the visible moments of leadership.

Humility is the foundation that holds the house of love together. Without it, our leadership becomes self-seeking, but with it, our communities thrive in unity, trust, and peace. Pastoral shepherds who walk humbly don’t just preach about grace—they embody it. They notice the struggling, encourage the weary, celebrate the unseen victories, and invite everyone to take part. In the words of Mark 10:44-45, “Whoever wants to be first must be the servant of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Let’s take a moment to reflect: Who has modeled this kind of humble leadership in your life? How did their example shape you? As you think of your own calling, where is Ruach HaKodesh inviting you to grow in humility today?

Prayer: Yahweh, thank You for Yeshua, the Servant King, who stooped low to lift us up. Shape my heart after His, so that every step of my leadership is rooted in humility and love. Fill me with Your Spirit, and help me to lead as a servant, not for my own sake, but for the good of Your people and the glory of Your Name. Amen.

The Servant’s Towel: Following the Example of Yeshua.

In the upper room, just before His journey to the cross, Yeshua did something truly breathtaking. He rose from the meal, wrapped a towel around His waist, and knelt to wash the feet of His disciples—ordinary men with dust from the road and flaws in their hearts. This wasn’t just an act of kindness; it was a living parable for all who would follow Him. He said, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). It’s as if Yeshua was saying: true greatness in the Kingdom comes not through grasping for position, but in serving with gentle hands and a humble heart.

We live in a culture that celebrates climbing the ladder and being first in line. But in the family of God, leadership always looks like service. The towel—not the title—becomes the symbol of authority. Jesus teaches us, “The servant is not greater than his lord; neither is he who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them” (John 13:16-17). There’s a unique joy and freedom that flows from humble service—a satisfaction that comes not from applause, but from quietly reflecting the love of Christ.

Servant leadership is not weakness; it is power under control. It is choosing to bless those who can give nothing in return, to lift burdens, to step in for the unnoticed jobs, to forgive, to stay present when it’s inconvenient. Philippians 2:3-4 encourages us, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” It’s a daily choice, fueled by the Spirit, to put love into action.

Pause and journal: Where is Yahweh asking you to pick up the servant’s towel this week? Is there a relationship, ministry, or moment where humble service is needed more than grand words? Take a few moments to write your thoughts and invite Ruach HaKodesh to show you a practical step.

Prayer: Father, make me a person of the towel. Let my life be marked by the humility and kindness of Yeshua. Give me eyes to see needs, hands ready to serve, and a heart that finds joy in lifting others. May my service point people to Your extravagant love. In Yeshua’s name, amen.

Humility in Action: Learning to Lead Like Christ.

If we want to walk in the way of Yeshua, we cannot escape the path of humility. In Philippians 2, Paul paints a portrait of Messiah’s heart: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:5-7). Humility, for Jesus, meant leaving glory behind, coming close to us, and living out perfect obedience to Yahweh—even to the point of the cross.

For us, leading with love and humility means setting aside the need to always be right, or to be noticed, or to have the final say. It means listening deeply, forgiving freely, and making room for others to shine. It’s a way of life that values people over programs and relationship over recognition. Jesus didn’t just speak about humility—He modeled it in every meal He shared, every touch of healing, every moment He welcomed children, the broken, and the overlooked.

Mark 10:43-45 reminds us that, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” In the Kingdom of God, humility is not thinking less of yourself—it is thinking of yourself less, and making space for God’s love to flow through you to others.

There is a quiet strength in humble leadership. It stands firm for truth, but it does so with gentleness. It bears with others patiently, as Colossians 3:12-13 instructs: “Put on… compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another.” Humility recognizes that every gift we have is from Yahweh, and every opportunity to serve is a privilege.

🌿 Journal prompt: Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to be humble, yet God called you to serve anyway. What did you learn through that experience? How can you clothe yourself with humility in your current relationships and responsibilities? Pause to write, and then ask Ruach HaKodesh to give you the mind of Christ for your next step.

Prayer: Yeshua, thank You for showing us what true humility looks like. Shape my heart to serve as You did, without complaint or pride. Let Your humility become my joy and my strength. May I honor You in the way I lead, love, and serve. Amen.

The Example of Foot Washing: Servant Leadership in Everyday Life.

On the night before He gave His life, Yeshua knelt and washed the feet of His disciples—a simple, humble act that stunned those who followed Him. In John 13, we read how the Master laid aside His outer garment, poured water into a basin, and knelt at the dirty feet of friends who would soon misunderstand, deny, and even betray Him. He didn’t choose this moment for a grand sermon or display of power; He chose a towel and a basin, teaching them (and us) that greatness in His Kingdom is measured by the willingness to serve.

After He finished, Yeshua asked, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:12-15). In this simple act, Yeshua flipped the world’s idea of leadership on its head. He showed us that to lead is to serve, to lower ourselves, to meet people in the messiness of real life.

Imagine what our families, churches, and communities would look like if we practiced this kind of foot-washing leadership—not just literally, but through everyday acts of kindness, encouragement, and practical help. Sometimes this means listening when we’re tired, or caring for someone who cannot return the favor, or quietly shouldering a burden that no one else sees. It’s the small, unseen choices that build a culture of honor and love.

Peter initially resisted, feeling unworthy to have His Master wash his feet. Many of us, too, struggle to receive grace or to let others see our vulnerable places. But Jesus assures us that to be part of His family, we must let Him serve us, and in turn, we serve one another.

🌿 Journal prompt: Who is God calling you to “wash the feet” of this week? Where can you take a step lower, offering humble service or forgiveness? Write down a specific action, and pray for courage and joy to follow the example of your Shepherd.

Prayer: Lord Yeshua, thank You for kneeling in love to serve us. Teach me to serve with a glad and willing heart, to notice those on the margins, and to honor You in every act of kindness. May my life reflect Your servant leadership, today and always. Amen.

Humility That Transforms: The Mindset of Christ in Leadership.

If you want to see lasting change in your family, church, or ministry, there is no greater catalyst than humility. Paul’s words in Philippians 2 invite us to “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Our Lord, who was equal with Yahweh, did not cling to privilege, status, or self-preservation. Instead, He emptied Himself, took on the form of a servant, and embraced even the shame of the cross—out of love for us and obedience to the Father.

The humility of Christ is not weakness or insecurity. It is a choice, every day, to lay aside self-interest and prefer others. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves,” Paul writes. “Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). In a culture obsessed with self-promotion, comfort, and image, Spirit-led humility stands out as a beacon of hope.

Think of the impact you have when you listen deeply to someone’s pain, or quietly support a struggling friend, or show patience in the midst of disappointment. These moments of humility—sometimes unseen by others—carry the fragrance of Yeshua. It is in the kitchen, the workplace, the classroom, and the boardroom where we most need the mind of Christ. We follow His lead when we forgive first, apologize quickly, and lift others up instead of tearing them down.

Our families, teams, and churches flourish where humility dwells. When a leader is willing to admit mistakes, seek counsel, and share credit, the community becomes a safe place for growth and healing. The humility modeled by Christ and commanded by Scripture is not about becoming a doormat—it is about becoming a doorway for the love and grace of God to flow into the lives of others.

🌿 Journal prompt: In what area of your life is God inviting you to humble yourself and “take the lower place”? Is there a relationship that needs healing, a task that feels beneath you, or a moment to quietly serve? Pause, listen to Ruach HaKodesh, and write your response to Him.

Prayer: Father, let the same mind that was in Yeshua be found in me. Teach me to embrace humility, to love without limits, and to lay down my rights for the good of others. May Your Kingdom come through every act of servant leadership, in Yeshua’s name. Amen.