JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF THE SON (Series)
-through the eyes of John
LEAD BY EXAMPLE (John 13:4-15)
Joh 13:4-15 So He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You don't understand now what I am doing, but someday you will." "No," Peter protested, "You will never ever wash my feet!" Jesus replied, "Unless I wash you, you won't belong to Me." Simon Peter exclaimed, "Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!" Jesus replied, "A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you." For Jesus knew who would betray Him. That is what He meant when He said, "Not all of you are clean." After washing their feet, He put on His robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing? You call Me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because that's what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
We cannot expect to lead others where we have yet to go. People follow best through example rather than mere instruction. Young people today are much more visual than they are informational. Modern technologies have caused us to be a visual generation. Words are hardly believed without demonstration. The kingdom of God is not just to be preached but demonstrated if to be received by today’s generation.
Mar 16:20 And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.
A good leader wants to see the best within those that follow, and will not leave any stone uncovered. Meaning they will not just be satisfied with progress, but will continue to work for perfection. They look beyond what seems to be good to what is best. “Doing better than most” is not a phrase in their vocabulary. They want every part of one’s heart clean, and are willing to go to the deepest measures, despite the possibility of offending, that the opportunity of completeness can be reached. So they themselves must be transparent, an open book, willing to say and do anything, that would benefit their flock.
1Co 10:23-24 You say, "I am allowed to do anything"—but not everything is good for you. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"—but not everything is beneficial. Don't be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
Application: As followers of Christ, we are all called to lead others to Him. Let’s evaluate our relationships, are we leading people towards Christ or away from Him through our example? Secondly let’s repent for our lack of good leadership and ask God for strategies on how to lead those He has put before us closer to Him.