The Leadership Style of Jesus Part 3

Matthew 23:25-39 Read the New Testament in a Year: Romans 6:1-14 For the last two days, we have looked at six characteristics of Jesus and leadership that included, Integrity, Authenticity, Humility, Compassion, Vision and Focus. Today we’ll look at Generosity. Generosity is the opposite of the greed and self-indulgence, which Jesus decries (vv.25–28). Their inner life is so different from the outer life. Jesus calls you to be yourself – for the inside to be like the outside (vv.27–28). These are extremely high standards and very hard to attain. Jesus’ words here, as the ‘woes’ come to a climax (vv.29–36), are some of the strongest to come from his mouth. It is important to note that they were not addressed to ordinary people. Jesus was criticising powerful leaders who were seeking to ‘exalt themselves’ (v.12), and who ‘shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces’ (v.13). Don’t use the words of Jesus as an excuse to berate ordinary people, or even leaders who are genuinely seeking to point people to Jesus. I need to direct them at myself. These are challenging words – but the challenge should not be directed at the wrong people! What is so amazing about Jesus’ words is that humanly speaking he was in a position of great weakness, and yet he was not afraid to take on the powers of his day.]]>