To lead like Jesus means staying focused on God’s mission, making the most of teachable moments, and serving others with humility. Jesus is the most influential leader in history, and he calls his followers to lead the way he led. In God’s upside-down kingdom, the greatest leaders are the greatest servants, and that includes how men lead at home, at church, and at work.
Laser Focus on the Mission
Jesus had absolute clarity on his mission. Even at age 12, after his parents searched Jerusalem for three days, he told them, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). Later, after he fed the 5,000, the crowd wanted to make him king.
John 6:15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
For most of us, the adoration of a crowd would be hard to resist. But Jesus knew his Father’s plan led to a cross before a crown. Even well-meaning friends tried to pull him off course. When Peter told Jesus he would never suffer and die, Jesus responded sharply.
Mark 8:33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Do you have clarity on your mission? Wealth, comfort, and success aren’t bad, but they can easily pull you off track. As a husband, your mission is to love your wife as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25). As a father, it’s to raise your children in the training and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). As a follower of Jesus, it’s to grow in your faith and help others do the same (Matthew 28:19-20). Surround yourself with believers who will ask how your decisions affect that mission.
Make the Most of Teachable Moments
Jesus was intentional about teaching his disciples. He often taught the crowds in public and then explained things to the disciples privately (Mark 4:34). When they missed his point about the “yeast of the Pharisees,” he patiently, but directly, helped them understand (Mark 8:14-21). If the disciples needed more than a sermon, so do the people in our lives. God calls fathers to the same kind of everyday teaching.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Are you looking for teachable moments with your kids? Car rides, meals, and bedtime can all become chances to talk about God. It won’t always be easy, and sometimes there will be awkward silence. Stick with it. The time goes by fast.
Serve With Humility
Jesus is the ultimate picture of servant leadership. On the night before his death, he did something shocking.
John 13:3-5 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
Notice the word “so.” Because Jesus knew who he was and the authority he had, he was free to serve. Insecurity often keeps us from humbling ourselves, but Jesus had no insecurity. Washing feet was the lowest job in a household. Jesus’ humility began long before that night, when he left heaven and took on human flesh (Philippians 2:5-8).
Greatness in God’s Kingdom
When James and John asked for the best seats in his kingdom, Jesus redefined greatness.
Matthew 20:25-28 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
If Jesus came to serve rather than be served, we can’t expect our families to serve us. Men are called to lead their homes, which means they should be the biggest servants in the house. When you lead with your family’s good in mind and model service, they’ll be far more willing to follow. (See also Jesus Wasn’t Unwilling to Serve.) Next, we’ll see how Jesus shaped an impulsive fisherman named Peter.
The Takeaway
To lead like Jesus, stay focused on God’s mission, make the most of teachable moments, and serve those you lead with humility. In God’s kingdom, the way up is down. The greatest leaders are the greatest servants.
https://www.pursuegod.org/built-to-lead/
