Thursday, January 14

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2016

Genesis 30:1–31:16

Matthew 10:1–23

Psalm 12:1–8

Proverbs 3:13–15

 

 

In both Matthew 10 and Luke 10, we find Jesus’s working on succession planning, and the blueprint clearly included a broad swath of disciples.  Intriguingly, Jesus started on this plan only months into his ministry, deviating from the world’s pattern of making such arrangements well into a leadership tenure and exercising strong control (“hand-picking”) a small follow-on team.  Here, as with many other details, we find the Kingdom ethic quite different than that of the world.

 

Let’s consider the world’s approach to succession planning a bit further.  Typically, CEOs or politicians take advantage of prevailing power in order to stamp their legacy into an organization -- and to guarantee longer-term influence for themselves.  They surmise that their hand-picked successors will remain true to their visions for the organization and will afford the outgoing leader a voice well into the future.  This arrangement fuels loyalty among would-be successors during the leader’s tenure, supporting their power consolidation.  As this analysis suggests, pride lies at the center of most human leadership.

 

In contrast, Jesus considered God’s Kingdom purposes with each aspect of His ministry, including His succession planning.  He sends out the disciples to make further disciples, fully recognizing that the disciples had real shortcomings and little experience.  He gave them a simple message of repentance and endued them with power through the Holy Spirit to testify with words and miraculous signs.  Even at its beginnings, Kingdom ministries included a holistic ministry of renewal and unwavering commitment to grace and truth.

 

Reflecting on this teaching, I strive to “empower and release” those whom God has brought into my life.  It would be great to see those who are newly walking with Christ building into others.  The multiplicative math behind this approach represents the great hope for bringing hope to a world heavy with depression and discouragement.  May we join these early disciples in proclaiming the simple, bold message of “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.”

 

As an action plan, please brainstorm on how you may make following Jesus a priority in your life; how you may invite others to follow with you; and how you may build into them so that they may love and develop other leaders.  Whom has God put into your life?  For what purpose?  Would you choose to boldly love in 2016 -- for the sake of the Kingdom?

 

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us such a clear example of godly leadership.  Thank You for demonstrating Your awesome humility and Your unwavering commitment to grace and truth.  Help us to see opportunities to love and develop other leaders in the manner You prescribed.  Open up doors through which we may influence Stamford and our surrounding communities through a selfless and humble love.  Prepare us to serve boldly by sending Your Holy Spirit (Acts 4:24-31).  To You be all praise, honor, and glory forever!  In Your Name, amen.

 

________________________________________
1) Blog:                  http://bit.ly/rV1Cw1

2) Facebook:        http://on.fb.me/tc6jkS