October 19, 2022
Jesus was a Great Developer of Leaders
Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”
(Luke 9:46-48 NLT
Beloved one, Jesus taught us seven leadership lessons to help us to prepare to be the leader’s others desire to follow. One of the greatest examples Jesus modeled for us is He invested His time pouring into twelve other men who made a lot of mistakes, but He patiently taught and corrected them. Out of those twelve men, one deceived Him, but eleven changed the world. You and I have been impacted by their message of salvation today. The third leadership lesson is Jesus:
Develop Leaders – You can’t hire a true leader, leaders are developed. Jesus looked for people to invest His time in to develop the leader in them. They made mistakes frequently, but He didn’t fire them, He taught them. He used their mistakes as opportunities to teach them. Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” (Luke 9:46-48 NLT) One leader didn’t work out (Judas) but the eleven disciples changed the world. Great leaders know they can’t do it on their own. They look for leaders with potential and invest the time and money to develop them.
Like their role model Jesus, they are patient and forgiving of mistakes. After breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?’ “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. “I tell you the truth when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” (John 21:15-19NLT)
Whoever is least among us will be the greatest and whoever is the greatest will be the least. Humility plays a huge role in our character as it is developed as great leaders. Humble yourself and you will be exalted, exalt yourself and you will be humbled. Pay attention to people who have the potential to be good leaders and invest your time in them.
