(Notes from the Michigan men’s retreat in the upper peninsula)
British field officer in WWI and WWII, Bernard Montgomery once said, “Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence.”
When it comes to discussing Christian leadership, we’re talking about Christian character – moral excellence as Christ defines it; “firmness” in the ways of God.
JESUS WAS A MAN OF CHARACTER:
It certainly goes without saying, doesn’t it, that Jesus was a man of moral excellence? In Matthew 22, the Pharisees and Herodians bring to Jesus that question about paying tribute to Caesar. We are familiar with the context and Jesus’ answer but here, I want to look at the statement these men make as they put that question to Jesus: Matt. 22:16: “Teacher, we know that you are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for you are not partial to any.” Based on that assessment of Jesus’ character, they ask him that question.
Let’s take a closer look at that assessment:
- Jesus is “truthful.” That word literally means “full of truth.” Not only was Jesus full of truth but, of course, He was the embodiment of truth! John 14:6. If we are going to be leaders in the church of Jesus Christ, we need to be full of truth. We cannot be the embodiment of truth since we are not deity. But, we can be truthful.
- Jesus teaches the way of God in truth. I’m not sure those men were honesty stating their own true convictions but, it was true nevertheless. Jesus would present the truth, with love and patience and gentleness, yes, but the truth nevertheless. Jesus presented God’s word to people because only the truth sets men free (John 8:32). That old KJV word: “verily” as in “verily, verily I say unto you…” is Jesus’ way of emphasizing the truthfulness of what He was teaching. The word is found 110 times in the NT; all but twice are in the Gospel accounts.
I am struck by how many times in the gospel of John, it is emphasized that Jesus spoke the words of God in truth: John 3:34; 5:30; 8:28; 12:49; 14:10, 24.
We can add two passages where Jesus says His life was consistent with the Father’s expectations: John 4:34; 5:19.
Leadership in Christ’s church means that we are dedicated with our heart, soul, mind and strength to the teachings of Jesus Christ, from Matthew-Revelation. Preaching “book, chapter, and verse” for what we do and practice in the Lord’s church is an absolute must if we are to be leaders, Christian leaders of character. Jesus did not preach on His own initiative and neither should we.
Incidentally, John is the apostle who loves to use the word “truth.” Out of the 111x the word is used in the NT, John uses it 46x. Paul will also use the word 48x. Truth is important to Jesus Christ.
- Jesus “defers” to no one. What does that mean? The “deaf version” (ETR) says, “You are not afraid of what others think about you.” The Greek translates (literally): “it is not a concern to you concerning no one.” Well, an absolute lack of concern would be cynical, very much like the judge in Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:1ff who did not fear God nor respect man. But that, of course, is not who Jesus is. Did He not concern Himself with anyone? Well, in the sense that Jesus did not pull punches even with regard to His friends. Who was it that Jesus called “Satan”? Peter, in Matthew 16:23. Who was it that Jesus critiqued: “you of little faith”? His disciples, in Matthew 14:31. Jesus was not above calling out His own followers when their lives did not live up to the standards of Jehovah God, just like the apostle Paul calling out Peter in Galatians 2:11-14.
- Finally, the questioners recognize that Jesus was not partial to anyone. That statement also has to be understood in categorical terms. Jesus had His 12 apostles, men who were closer to Him than others. Jesus had His circle of the inner three: Peter, James, and John. And, even further inside the circle, Jesus had the “apostle whom He loved,” likely John. Jesus was partial in some ways. But, as we have just pointed out, Jesus did not change what He had to say or what doctrine He had to teach just because it would step on the toes of His own followers. As the old preacher might say, “He was not aiming for their toes, He was aiming for their hearts.”
Jesus was a man of character. That’s why the accusation of the Jews that put Jesus on the cross was simply a recognition of the truth that Jesus was the Son of God. “Are you the King of the Jews?” the governor asked Him. “It is as you say” (Matt. 27:11). Jesus was a man of character. When the high priest asked Jesus, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus could only speak the truth: “I am” (Mark 14:62). Because Jesus was a man of character and always lived consistent with the truth, Pilate was compelled to pronounce Jesus innocent no less than three times: Luke 23:4, 14, 22.
Paul Holland
