JESUS’S DISRUPTIVE, YET LOVING LEADERSHIP
As I was reflecting on my sermon this morning, some more insights and thoughts came to my mind.
I thought those insights and thoughts that could not be part of my sermon, can fit or find a home in this devotional. I wanted to start by defining leadership, then realized, I will be swimming in the huge sea of definitions. May be the ‘what’ of a leader will be better than the ‘definition’. My opinion on leadership comes close to what Rowling, says the ‘what’ of a leader is,’…….’those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.” The above is summed up so well in the following Scripture: Matthew 28: 25-27 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.
The above calls for different leaders/leadership. To be different calls for courage, vulnerability, and the willingness to walk alone. Let’s unpack this difference Jesus is talking ab out in verse 26. What will be different with the Godly leadership?
Breaking new grounds, disrupting the status quo, building bridges, and letting go of the old ways of doing things. The above-describes Jesus’s leadership style to the T. In other words, a Godly leader is a good follower. One cannot lead well if one is not following well. This sounds like a contradiction; however, I believe that it is in this contradiction where the sensitivity of a leader comes in. Jesus disturbed the status quo of His days fearlessly and cared for people. To Jesus, people mattered, and His disruptive leadership was for people. He stepped outside of His comfort zone to meet the Samaritan woman by the well, so He can bring change, build the bridge between Jews and Samaritans, and brings transformation. The consequences of this style of leadership are loneliness. This unique leadership that Jesus brought, made Him an outcast. Because He went where there is no path so He can leave a trail. This was driven by people, in this kind of leadership people benefit. Jesus led 12 men with integrity, love for the World, and with a purpose. He knew exactly, his purpose, and who He was. He was not or did not take the position to be defined by the position. He took the position for people. This kind of leadership is what this Country needs, our communities needs and our Faith communities needs.
