There are Christians and there are leaders, but what did leadership look like in the life of Jesus? A leader, by definition, is anyone who influences the thinking and actions of others. Thus, a Christian Leader is someone who influences the thinking and actions of others by living like Jesus did.
We are all leaders! Again, a leader is simply someone who influences others through their character and actions. It’s really literally that simple. First, have character. Second, have influence. If we want to be Christian Leaders then we simply model the life of Christ.
Jesus loved
John 10:10 – The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
God is love and Jesus is God’s manifest love in human form. He sacrificed Himself that we might live. As Christian Leaders, we are exhorted to be like Jesus and lay our lives down for others. The abundant life He purchased for us is rooted and grounded in love. When we allow ourselves to receive His love for us, we are empowered to love others. The Great Commandment to love God, empowers us to fulfill the Great Commission to love others. We have to experience His love before we can give it away…and Jesus made that possible on the cross.
Jesus served
John 13:4-5 – “so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, Jesus poured water into a basin and washed his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him”
Jesus came to earth to serve. He washed feet – dirty stinky calloused feet. His simple act and example has been has been speaking to and ministering to people ever since. Have you ever had your feet washed? It’s very humbling. Jesus expressed the characteristic of servanthood in the simple act of washing feet. What simple act of service does He want to use in your life? Just like Jesus we can give our lives every day – to some we will give larger deposits and to others we may only serve them for moments – but the truth is each one of us is capable of serving others just like Jesus.
We are all leaders. The question becomes, does our leadership look like Jesus?