Becoming a Good Leader Like Jesus

At heart, every person is born to be a leader. At the very least, each person leads himself or herself. The upbringing we receive from parents, school, the word of God, and the company we keep also shapes our character. Some people then become more ready to lead; others still need practice. And becoming a leader, all the more a good leader, is certainly not an easy thing.

Still, there is no need to worry. Lord Jesus has given us an example of leadership. Before looking at ways to become a good leader like Jesus, let us first discuss what a leader is.

The Difference Between a Good Leader and a Boss

Do you know the difference between a leader and a boss?

A leader is someone who is oriented toward a shared vision and mission and toward solving problems. He protects, cares for, and develops the people he leads so that they become just as capable as he is, or even more so.

A boss is someone appointed to a certain position by an authority higher than himself. For example, a president appoints a general to become commander of the armed forces. Someone is chosen as a leader in a certain institution because he has greater ability and usually has proven performance and loyalty.

Not everyone can become a boss, but all of us can become leaders. More precisely, leaders like Jesus.

2 Characteristics of Jesus’ Leadership

There are many leadership traits we can learn from Jesus, but let us focus on these two. A good leader is:

1. Thinking of His Followers – Matthew 15:32-39

Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "My heart is moved with compassion for this crowd. They have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint on the way." His disciples said to Him, "Where in this lonely place could we get enough bread to feed so great a crowd?" Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish as well." – Matthew 15:32-34

A good leader thinks about his followers or the people who work with him and is willing to sacrifice for their good. The Bible records one act of Jesus’ leadership: thinking about four thousand hungry people after they had followed Him for days. Jesus, who surely was hungry and tired Himself, prioritized the needs of the thousands around Him. He called His disciples so that they too would think about the crowd.

At first, the disciples were confused about how to find food in such a deserted place, but Jesus taught them to focus on the solution. It turned out they still had seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. Through that little food, Jesus performed a miracle and fed four thousand people. After they were full, they were sent home.

As leaders of a group, are we willing to sacrifice and think of every member of the group? As older siblings, do we sacrifice for our younger brothers and sisters? Or are we busy thinking only of ourselves?

2. Meeting His Followers – Luke 4:42-44

When daylight came, Jesus left and went to a solitary place. But the crowds looked for Him, found Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them. But He said to them, "I must also preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns, because that is why I was sent." And He kept preaching in the synagogues of Judea. – Luke 4:42-44

Even though many people tried to keep Him there, Jesus still left Capernaum because He had to preach the gospel in other towns. He taught in the synagogues in Galilee. He visited Nazareth, then was rejected by its people. He went to Peter’s house and healed his mother-in-law. He caught fish with Peter on the Lake of Gennesaret. He healed the servant of a centurion in Capernaum. He raised a young man in Nain.

There are many stories of Jesus meeting directly with one person or with many people. He was not only busy in places of worship; Jesus also made personal visits. Traveling in those days certainly was not as comfortable as it is now. Jesus had to walk or go by boat. Communication had not yet known telephones, television, much less the internet, so Jesus interacted directly with many people.

A good leader knows the needs of the people he leads and is willing to work hard to give them what they need. Jesus’ actions were then followed by His disciples, such as Paul, Peter, Luke, and Barnabas. They went from one place to another to preach the gospel, teach, and establish churches.

Being a good leader means being willing to step out of your comfort zone. Giving our time, energy, thoughts, money, and possessions for the good of others. Indeed, not everyone will praise or thank us when we lead, but keep leading like Jesus.

The Lord bless you!