Sunday November 08, 2026 - One Life For the Many
November 8, 2026
Deborah Laforet
“One Life for The Many”
Let us pray. May the words from my lips and the meditations of my heart be guided by your
Spirit and be words of wisdom for this day. Amen.
Have any of you been to the Canadian Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg? It’s a pretty neat
structure, and I think Winnipeg is quite proud to have this beautiful building in their city, even if there is
sometimes some controversy around the exhibits within the building. Next time you’re in Winnipeg, I
would encourage you to visit.
While I was in Winnipeg last month, I decided to check it out again, as it had been about eight
years since I last visited. I will say this: if you’re someone who is affected by the pain and suffering of
others, go with a friend and maybe plan to do something light and fun afterwards. It’s a heavy
experience on the heart.
This time when I visited, they had a special exhibit called, “Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s
LGBT Purge.” This is how the exhibit is described on the website: “From the 1950s to the 1990s, the
Government of Canada systematically investigated, harassed and fired [2S & LGBTQIA+] members of
the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP and the federal public service. Now called “the LGBT Purge,”
this official policy destroyed thousands of careers, did untold psychological damage and ruined lives...
The Purge was one of the longest‐running, largest‐scale violations of human rights in the workplace in
Canadian history.” Ever heard of it?
Today is Remembrance Day and on this day we take time to remember all those who sacrificed
their lives in service to this country. Sometimes though, this service wasn’t as valued or as appreciated
because of discrimination and harmful discriminatory policies. How many lost their jobs and their
reputations just for being different, for loving the wrong person, for acting contrary to what was
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expected of them? How many signed up so they could serve their country and had that willingness
rejected? How we treat those in service, whether it be the armed forces or the RCMP, or the many
others who serve our country, is indicative of how we care for all Canadian residents.
Jesus and his disciples weren’t living in a war zone, but they were living in an occupied nation,
ruled by the powerful Roman Empire. There were rules the Israelites had to follow. Sometimes there
were rebellions when Jews pushed back against these rules. These rebellions were responded to
violently by the Roman army, and many Jews were killed. This caused those with power in Israel, even
if it was very little power, to work hard to avoid this violence by sticking to the status quo, not making
waves, and making sure everyone toed the line. Theirs was the safe kind of leadership.
Jesus, in serving God and his people, took a risk with his leadership. By preaching about God’s
kingdom rather than Caesar’s kingdom, he put his life on the line. The disciples following him didn’t
always understand that. Sometimes they felt like they were taking part in another rebellion. They saw
themselves as heroes to their people and looked forward to the glory of the fight against Rome, and
wanted to be seated right next Jesus when he ‘came into his glory,’ whatever that might mean. Jesus was
sure they didn’t truly understand what they were asking. He asked them, “Can you drink the cup I will
drink or be baptized in the same baptism as I?”
Did the disciples really understand the risks that were being taken? Did they understand that
Jesus was resisting nonviolently and would not be leading an army against Rome? Did they understand
what the ultimate sacrifice might look like? He tells them, “Anyone among you who aspires to
greatness must serve the rest; whoever wants to rank first among you must serve the needs of all. The
Promised One has come not to be served, but to serve - to give one life as a ransom for the many.”
What did he mean? What kind of leadership did Jesus ask of his disciples?
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We’ve been exploring Eric Law’s book, “Holy Currencies: 6 Blessings for Sustainable Missional
Ministries.” So far, we’ve looked at three of these six blessings: Relationships, Truth, and Wellness.
Today we look at Gracious Leadership. Law writes, “Gracious leadership is not about holding power
over others; it is about knowing how to empower others to share their gifts and experiences and to do
that which is beneficial to the community. They do not hold onto authority; rather, they share authority
with those who are in community.” (pg 93)
This was the kind of leadership Jesus displayed. He spoke in parables and encouraged others to
interpret them. He didn’t answer questions; instead he asked more questions. Jesus’ role wasn’t to be a
military general and to bring down Rome and bring Israel to its former glory. He wanted to bring people
closer to the glory of God and to empower them to build God’s kingdom on earth.
Traditional leadership often looks like a triangle, with the leader on top and everyone else
following. Servant leadership though, which I think is the kind we’re describing, looks like an inverted
triangle. The leaders empowers and supports everyone else.
What does Gracious Leadership look like for us today in the church? How does someone lead a
community by serving that community? Suggestions? Now, I’d like you to find some others and
discuss who you might know that models this kind of leadership.
These are the kinds of leaders we find in a sustainable, missional faith community. We want
everyone to feel empowered to use their gifts and share their wisdom, from the most senior to the
youngest in our community, from newest to the long time members, from the extroverts to the introverts,
and from most privileged to the least privileged. We also want to be sure the minister isn’t seen as THE
leader of the church, but one who empowers those within the church Connecting to previous weeks,
how do we create a space that helps our leaders build internal and external relationship, speak their truth,
and to find wellness and time for Sabbath? How do we celebrate and offer gratitude to those who lead?
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One last question to ponder. Does our leadership feel risky, and if it doesn’t, are we doing it
right? Are we, as Christ followers, following the example set for us by Jesus, his disciples, the prophets,
and others who have put their lives on the line to make this a better world - one life for the many?
Sometimes stepping forward to lead and serve can be risky. Making ourselves highly visible,
loudly heard, and up front and centre, can put us in a vulnerable position, especially when we ourselves
are vulnerable, for whatever reason. When we became Affirming and began flying our flag proudly,
someone decided to forcefully pull that flag down and write profanity on our doors. When we take a
stand that makes some uncomfortable, or when we advocate and stand with those others stand against,
there will be some who see this as a threat and who will try to forcefully put a stop to it. There may be
times when we have to back down and there may be times when we have to stand firm. Being grounded
in our faith, continuing to learn about Jesus and the prophets and what they would do, will help guide us.
There were many vulnerable people in the armed forces, the RCMP, and federal public service
who decided to intentionally speak up and speak out. They stood up against the hate and discriminatory
polices of the Canadian government, and we owe these people, and the many others who stand up
against injustice, our gratitude for the risk in taking that kind of leadership. Sometimes the only way to
make change is to stand up and stand firm, and to take on leadership that empowers others to be their
best selves, to open up their minds to new ways of thinking, and to empower them to join in the quest for
a better world. We give thanks to all leaders in their service, in leadership, and in their sacrifice towards
building God’s kingdom. Thanks be to God. Amen.
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Mark 10:35-45
(Introduce yourself.)
On this Remembrance Day, we will hear a passage from Mark’s gospel about service and
about serving the needs of all - one life for the many. We are also discussing the currency
of Gracious Leadership. I am reading from chapter ten, verses 35-45.
35 Zebedee’s children, James and John, approached Jesus. “Teacher,” they said, “we
want you to grant our request.”
36 “What is it?” Jesus asked.
37 They replied, “See to it that we sit next to you, one at your right and the other at your
left, when you come into your glory.”
38 Jesus told them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup I will
drink or be baptized in the same baptism as I?”
39 “We can,” they replied. Jesus said in response, “From the cup I drink of, you will
drink; the baptism I am immersed in, you will share, 40 but as for sitting at my right or
left, that is not mine to give; it is for those to whom it has been reserved.”
41 The other ten on hearing this, became indignant with James and John.
42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know how among the Gentiles those who
exercise authority are domineering and arrogant; those ‘great ones’ know how to make
their importance felt. 43 But it can’t be like that with you. Anyone among you who
aspires to greatness must serve the rest; 44 whoever wants to rank first among you must
serve the needs of all. 45 The Promised One has come not to be served, but to serve - to
give one life as a ransom for the many.”
May the Spirit guide our understanding of this sacred scripture. Amen.