Leadership Style of Jesus Part II

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 16, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Our reflection for this week is Part II of the leadership style of Jesus. The acrostic message for the letters LEAD (Loving and Compassionate, Exemplary Plan and Mission, Appealing and Charismatic, Delegation and Discipleship) was presented last week. Now, let me add the next three letters ERS. Next week is Part III and we will be reflecting on HIP to finish the word LEADERSHIP.

E – Elevates the status of the marginalized

Oftentimes, we look at leadership as a way to marginalize people. Some of us silently swear that when we become leaders, we will do everything in our power to diminish others. But this is not so for Jesus. Elevating the status of the marginalized was a way of life for Jesus. He not only talked to women, tax collectors, sick and poor, but gave them provisions and healing. God is a God of life. Jesus had a preferential option for the poor because the poor were dying before their time.

Lester Ruiz wrote, “Lead in such a way that when someone thinks of fairness, kindness, and integrity, he or she will remember you; Empower in such a way that when someone rises to question, to protest, or to challenge, he or she will remember you.”

R – Resists Temptation

A leader is tempted to become selfish and self-centered. The Bible knows that our human nature has the tendency to be selfish and self-centered. Jesus was tempted by the devil to become selfish and self-centered. Jesus reminded us to stay away from these temptations. What were the temptations? (Matthew 4) 1. Change stone to bread – quick economic gain through short-cuts. 2. Jump down from the top because angels will catch you – the misuse of power. 3. All the kingdoms will be given – the worship of glory.

S – Seeks the will of God

Jesus always sought the will of God. But he was also tempted to follow his own will. The prayer in the garden reminds us that even Jesus was tempted to follow his own will. But later on, he prayed “not my will but thy will be done.”

We must also reclaim the defeatist Filipino worldview that is “Bahala na.” A Centralian anthropologist, F. Landa Jocano wrote that this phrase was originally “Bathala na” or “thy will be done.” Thus, Filipinos always say “Bahala na ang Dios.” Let us dwell on the positive side of this trait. We need to develop an attitude of trust in God’s providence.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on