Abstract
John 13:1–17 presents a style of leadership that is quite different from the traditional understanding and practice of leadership. This model of leadership in John’s Gospel is manifested in Jesus’ symbolic example of servant leadership, also known as the feet-washing. Feet-washing, generally the responsibility of servants, was seen as a degrading job that even the disciples could not do for their own leader. For Jesus, however, feet-washing is an illustration of humility, genuine love, and service. This article, therefore, is an attempt to critically examine this symbolic act of leadership in the context of John 13:1–17, and its implication on the development of Nigeria. Using the historical-critical exegetical method of analysis, it was discovered that this symbolic act of leadership by Jesus as presented in Johaninne pericope is a challenge to political leaders in Nigeria today. The hermeneutics of the study showed that Nigerian political leaders have displayed leadership styles that are based on selfishness, tyranny, nepotism, and tribalism that are an impediment to peace, stability, and national development. From the findings above, it is recommended, among others, that Nigerian political leaders should see leadership as an opportunity to serve and not as a do-or-die affair. This will improve the attitude, quality of life and inclusive growth in Nigeria.Contribution: This work critically investigates Jesus’ exemplary act of servant leadership narrated in John 13:1–17 in juxtaposition with Nigerian political leadership. Such an exegetical work is designed so that the present and upcoming political leaders in Nigeria could learn and emulate Jesus’ core qualities, strategies and attitudes that resulted in transforming and improving the lives and well-being of his followers.
Highlights
It is already well established in the New Testament scholarship that John’s Gospel is highly symbolic in its content
Jesus displayed a remarkable style of leadership in John 13:1–17 that is based on selflessness, love, and humility
It was discovered that political leaders in Nigeria struggle for positions and are too concerned about stealing for themselves and their families alone
Summary
It is already well established in the New Testament scholarship that John’s Gospel is highly symbolic in its content. It points to the confessional hymn of Philippians 2:6– 11, wherein the Jesus is portrayed as the one who emptied himself, taking the form of a slave By his act of washing the feet of his followers, Jesus is modelling a leadership style that anchors on love, humility, and service. Jesus’ injunction in verse 14, coupled with his statement in v.8, forms the centre of his teaching on the act of feet-washing By saying to his disciples: ‘I have washed your feet’ and they should ‘wash one another’s feet’, symbolises not just the self-giving love and cleansing as a result of Jesus’ death, and the mutual love, humility and selfless service towards others
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