The Greatest Leader of All Time
Who are the greatest leaders of all time? The Internet is replete with articles on the subject. In fact, a Google search yielded 22,400,000 sites. Not that I searched all of those sites, but the consensus among the ones I have read is that Jesus tops the list.
There are some essential characteristics that clearly set Jesus apart from other leaders, and I believe they all have to do with His power. In fact, so powerful was the work of Jesus during His lifetime that all of His disciples continued to preach His message, and all but one were martyred for the cause.
The Gospel continues to be preached today and continues to transform millions of lives for the better each year. So what was it about Jesus’ leadership that made Him so effective? Consider these characteristics:
- Jesus attracted and inspired others by casting a compelling vision and taking impressive actions. Consider that He came to preach freedom from the bondage of sin with an abundant life in the kingdom of God. For believers this vision offered peace, hope and fulfillment both in this life and in the next.
He also backed up His words with action. We see Jesus feed 5,000 people miraculously and then says to His disciples, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry.”
Later Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead and then says, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
To inspire others to follow, leaders must articulate a vision of what they believe individuals and organizations can become. Yet, they must also take visible action to back that vision, so people know they mean what they say.
- Jesus believed in the potential of His followers and He developed them, regardless of their backgrounds. Andrew and Peter were rough fishermen, Matthew was a despised tax collector, Bartholomew was wealthy and of royal blood, Paul was a Jewish scholar. Jesus saw the potential in all of them.
Despite their diverse backgrounds Jesus understood their potential and He taught them all to lead. Long after He ascended into heaven these followers preached, taught and cooperated in building on the work that Jesus started.
- Jesus served His followers. At the Last Supper Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. He also fed them, healed them, taught them and ultimately died for them. He modeled a life of service that He wanted them to follow.
- Jesus met crisis head on. He didn’t wilt or back off in the face of trouble. In fact, at times He even created crisis. He called the Pharisees hypocrites and a brood of vipers. When Peter tried to dissuade Him from going to Jerusalem, Jesus rebuked him directly.
Then, shortly after His triumphal entry, he overturned the tables of the moneychangers. After that, in the middle of a fight in the Garden, He didn’t run or hide. He rebuked Peter who had cut off someone’s ear and then He healed the ear. In crisis after crisis, Jesus never backed down. Instead, He intervened with words and actions that were both bold and wise.
Leaders are charged with a stewardship responsibility for organizations and their assets (which include its people). Delaying or even refusing to deal with crisis, puts the health of the organization in jeopardy and only delays the inevitable.
We’ll explore more about the leadership of Jesus in the next blog, but suffice it to say that His work on earth has clearly been powerful and enduring.
In addition to today’s post on leadership, we have helpful content on capital campaign consulting, nonprofit fundraising, strategic planning and more on our website at www.covenantgrouponline.com.