Musing – What made Jesus a Successful Leader?

Hebraic Musing – What made Jesus a Successful Leader?

Our men’s group was asked “What is the difference between a ‘boss’ and a ‘leader’?  The answers boiled down to “A boss is someone you have to work for; but a leader is someone you want to work for.”   The next question - “Who are men you recognize as great leaders?”  Answers started flowing – “Churchill, Roosevelt, Lincoln,… etc.”  All these great leaders had a purpose and an acknowledged mission we all easily recognized. 

Then I mentioned Jesus and they all agreed!  But what made Jesus an example of the ultimate leader?   Why is Jesus the one we want to follow and work for?  Quick answer – He knew where He was going; He had a Life’s Mission to accomplish. 

What was Jesus’s mission?  He revealed it in his first recorded synagogue message.  “The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him.  Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:…”  And he proceeded to quote familiar verses from Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:17-19  NIV

And we have many pictures in our heads of Jesus going through grain fields with his disciples walking along and observing the challenges Jesus faced i.e. “The Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?’" Mark 2:24 The disciples observed Jesus’ answers, and they always fit His mission!

How many times did Jesus challenge His disciples?  And He did not always provide the answers; and yet, years later they were faithful to death.

·      "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Mark 1:17   
Did they know what that meant, but they dropped their nets and …

·      “Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.
Then come, follow me."

Did the people recognize all the truths immediately? 

·      "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." John 13:8 

·      And note the new-found boldness of a “secret follower” – “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews.” John 19:38

Our men’s group then processed a double question – Have you ever worked for a boss you could not respect or like?  And what did you do about it?   Jesus was working in a similar environment.  The people had a boss – the crooked, oppressive, wayward Sanhedrin priesthood.  Jesus consistently pointed out the truth and solutions; and people wanted to learn more.  How do you learn more?  A – By following (as a disciple).  And the disciples eventually came to recognize and adopt Jesus’ mission.  We know that ultimately the disciples devoted their lives to Jesus, the Messiah, even to death after they caught His vision!

Satan wants us to look back, but Jesus wants us looking forward.  When the Angels helped Lot and his family flee Sodom they were told "Flee for your lives! Don't look back…”.  
What are we to do?  “but we are looking for the city that is to come.” according to Heb. 13:14

Points to ponder

Who are some great leaders you have chosen to follow in life? 
Mentors?  Disciplers?  Champions?    What drew you to them?  

When you accepted Jesus as your Lord, did you leave your old boss?

What vison would you like to cast?  Do you know your mission, your purpose in life?

What do you want the epitaph on your gravestone to say?

♫  I have decided to follow Jesus; …  Tho' none go with me, I still will follow,…  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          April 16, 2019  

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”     “insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com”