Theological Commentary: Click Here
In this
chapter, Jesus makes a transition from conflict with leadership to ministering
among the people. This doesn’t mean
leadership isn’t important. It means
that Jesus will show leadership by doing, not in contrast to bad leaders around
Him. That’s an important note to
make. Good leadership is demonstrated to
others, not just contrasted against.
How does
Jesus demonstrate good leadership in this chapter? Notice with whom it is that Jesus interacts. Jesus interacts with the leper first. What is a leper? A leper is a complete social outcast because
of his contagious nature. The leper is someone who brings status down, not
up. Jesus heals the man, showing value
to him and elevating his status. This is
what leaders do. Good leaders help
others better themselves.
Jesus then
meets the centurion. The centurion would
be a powerful man in the Roman community, but he would have been seen as an
enemy in the eyes of the Jews. Jesus
interacts with this man, risking His own status in the Jewish community by
helping the outside as He did with the leper.
In doing so, Jesus demonstrates respect for the man’s faith in both his
verbal praise as well as by acting on the man’s suggestion to heal from
afar. Jesus continues to elevate other
people in His ministry.
After all of
this, Jesus gives an indication of what true leadership under God’s regime
looks like. He speaks about the cost of
following Jesus. Being a godly leader
will often mean feeling like we don’t have a true home. It means going to others and leaving our
comfort zone. It may mean leaving the
security of our family to go out into the world. The cost of following Jesus is being willing
to let go of what makes us feel safe and trust that God can provide. True leadership involves trust and faith
rather than comfort.
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