In many industries, career progression (and making more money) eventually requires moving into leadership. Yet, having great skills in a role – think of a talented teacher or nurse – does not automatically mean they can lead. Leadership is its own unique gift (cf. Rom. 12:7). Those lacking it go on power trips, alienating others and becoming someone no one wants to follow. They obsess over status, measuring their self-worth by titles, budget size, or number of direct reports. “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them,” Jesus said to His disciples: “It shall not be so among you” (Matt. 20:25-26). Followers of Jesus must learn to lead from Him, which means having a very different relationship with “authority”.
Jesus’ authority was obvious to anyone who heard Him speak or witnessed one of His miracles (cf. Matt. 7:29, 8:9, 9:8). Yet, His authority did not come from any earthly organization: in fact, the people with the titles clashed with Him the most (cf. Lk. 20:1-8)! No, Jesus’ authority came from His relationship with God. “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again…I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (Jn. 10:17-18).
Because Jesus’ authority came from His relationship with God, He used it differently. He used it to heal our diseases and forgive our sins (cf. Mk. 2:1-12). His “authority to execute judgment” was “because He is the Son of Man” – because He shares our humanity and sympathizes with our weaknesses (Jn. 5:27, cf. Heb. 4:14-16). Yet even having that authority, Jesus’ desire is to “save the world”, as we receive God’s commandment for eternal life (cf. Jn. 12:44-50). That’s why immediately after the Risen Christ said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me”, His disciples were to go make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). Jesus doesn’t use His authority to coerce but to convince – and we are meant to follow His lead. “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet,” Jesus said (Jn. 13:14).
Focusing on God’s glory…acting in the best interests of others…convincing followers instead of demanding compliance…this is all very different than how the world views “authority”. Making this change will require our conscious, consistent effort. Yet if we will follow Jesus in this, then – as with everything else – we will love where it leads.
Our world is in desperate need of good leadership. If we will look to God, He will teach us how to lead! Learn with us!