When I am weak, he is strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 [Sunrise photo April 12, 2013]

When I am weak, He is strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 [Sunrise photo April 12, 2013]

Day 12 A Servant Leader Movement

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”

Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.

Then he said to him, “Follow me!” John 21:18-19

Wherever He Leads I’ll Go

During the 40 day period between his resurrection and ascension Jesus was preparing his disciples to change the world.

My guess is they didn’t set out to do that.

“Hey guys let’s change the world by doing what the master taught us and dying horrible deaths.”

My guess is they were simply doing the next right thing.

They were so internally motivated by their personal encounter with Jesus, the incarnation of Truth and Love,  that they were transformed.

“Jesus knew that he had to prepare his disciples for his ascension and return to the Father. He had to address the question of how he would continue to remain present with them and guide them in his physical absence. “ Robert E. Webber Ancient-Future Time page 154

My Heart is Steadfast

The resurrection changed everything. The Jesus tribe became very different people and nothing, no amount of pressure, would convince or coerce them to live any other way. These first followers of Jesus were absolutely resolved to completely follow His teaching and share the love of God with everyone.

They would do this by by living a lifestyle that was radically different from the rest of the world. They marched to the beat of a different drummer. They lived from a value system that was not of this world.

Love Well

Selfless love was the identifying trait of His followers. They became the church by radically loving one another and loving outsiders. Jesus commissioned his followers to team up and co-labor together, literally to become His body – “the body of Christ” – as the continued presence of Jesus in the world.

The church itself is a sign of Jesus. So God’s people must represent Jesus Christ and all that He taught.

Lead

Jesus guiding model for leadership is the good shepherd.

A good shepherd is not on an ego trip and does not misuse his power or authority. He or she is called to be a servant leader. Shepherds lead by example, relationship and serving first.

“The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” Matthew 20:28

Do that and you change the world.

Let’s Pray:

I invite you to pray with me today.

“Father help me to learn from the Good Shepherd, and help me to be a good shepherd. Lord you know my weaknesses and my failures, but when I am weak – You are strong. Empower me to bring You glory by serving well. May Your kingdom come, and Your will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.”

I Am Weak But You Are Strong!

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Just a Closer Walk With Thee, Traditional Author Unknown

About This Devotional Series

According to the historical church calendar, the Easter season is the 50 day period from Resurrection Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.  I’ll post a fresh devotional thought with my sunrise photo of that morning, everyday through Pentecost, commenting as the Spirit inspires. Check out the rest of the series here.

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