Mat 8:1
When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. So much talk about leadership principles these days. Books,
symposiums, conferences, videos, internet and magazine articles
promote leadership techniques. So much so that leadership training
has become a multi-million dollar industry.
Obviously, The Lord Jesus was, and is, the consummate leader.
Wherever He went, multitudes followed. They craved His type of
leadership. Why?
1. There was a
climate which clamored for non-self-serving leadership.
Matt 8:3
And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
How different was this Healer from Herod, Pilate, Caiaphas, the
Pharisees, Sadducees and lawyers which led them here-to-fore, all
greedy of advancing their own agendas.
2. There was a
culture which craved authoritative instruction
Mat 7:28
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as
one having authority, and not as the scribes. Word was spreading, “Nobody speaks like this man. He is very
different from the leaders we have been forced to follow. He knows
what He is talking about and actually practices what He preaches.”
3. There was a
custom which cherished answers to simple faith.
Mat 8:8
The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only,
and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Custom forbade a Jew to enter the house of a Gentile. The Centurion was well aware of this. What he learned was that this humble Jewish leader was his superior and was able to reward simple faith.
4. There was a
creation which called for redemption
Rom 8:22
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but
ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. All of creation has an insatiable desire to be redeemed from the curse. Even its rocks and palms stood poised to cry aloud “Hosanna!” had human voices failed to proclaim this leader as the heir apparent to David’s royal throne.
5. There was a
conviction which considered that a new day had dawned.
Mat 8:16
When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his
word, and healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. There was a growing realization among the multitudes the Jesus was the long-awaited Promised One. They were willing to submit to His leadership.
Sweet are the promises, kind is the word,
Dearer far than any message man ever heard;
Pure was the mind of Christ, sinless I see;
He the great example is, and pattern for me.
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow all the way.
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow Jesus ev’ry day.
Sweet is the tender love Jesus hath shown,
Sweeter far than any love that mortals have known;
Kind to the erring one, faithful is He;
He the great example is, and pattern for me.
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow all the way.
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow Jesus ev’ry day.
List to His loving words, “Come unto Me”;
Weary, heavy laden, there is sweet rest for thee;
Trust in His promises, faithful and sure;
Lean upon the Savior, and thy soul is secure.
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow all the way.
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow Jesus ev’ry day.
