It takes at least two people to create this duo, or can one person fulfill both roles? In the natural realm, kings are not servants; they have servants. Servants are not kings; they serve kings.
Upon entering the supernatural realm of God’s kingdom it becomes apparent that the culture operates on a completely different grid. For example, when Jesus was building a leadership team he contrasted the existing overseers (scribes & Pharisees) against his new model: “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Mt.23:11-12)
As a Forerunner, Jesus perfectly demonstrates the humility He calls His disciples to walk in.
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Phil.2:6-10)
Centuries earlier God spoke about this through the prophet Isaiah: “Behold My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles.” (Mt.12:18, Isa.42:1)
God chose a servant to do a kings’ job. Or did He choose a king to do a servants’ job?
Jesus was God and King from eternity past. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:1-3) He chose to descend from the majestic realms and become the “Word made flesh.” His next appearing will be as “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” (1 Tim.6:15)
In God’s domain, kings serve and servants rule. Jesus the Servant-King has gone before us. A humble King and a kingly Servant – all in the one Man.
In the Book of Revelation, Jesus the Lamb takes the scroll, while the living creatures and twenty-four elders sing a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” (5:8-10) Redemption is our launch into leadership training. We serve with Him; we rule with Him.
Let us humble ourselves and be intentional in our pursuit of meekness, while we confidently step up into our gifts and callings – to fulfill our kingly roles in Christ’s government.