Christ's Leadership Mastery: Synthesizing Jesus with the Modern Era
Samuel Keyes
CLED365: The Personal Development of the Leader (B01)
February 26, 2024
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Introduction
Jesus may be considered the greatest leader with the greatest morality of all time. While
the idea of leadership did not originate with Jesus, his perfection of its aspects is heavily outlined
in the Holy Bible. Jesus’s leadership attributes can be broken down into five sub-groups: power,
purpose, passion, priorities, and pacing. All five of these groups are displayed throughout his
ministry and can be shown true. This paper will show how Jesus Christ is the perfect leader in
these five sub-groups and how a leader today can emulate Christ in their leadership style.
Christ's Leadership in Theory: Five Attributes
Power
A well-known story from Jesus’s ministry is the story of him cleansing the temple and
overturning the money changers’ tables (Matthew 21:12-14, English Standard Version). This
however was not the first time Jesus had cleansed the temple during the Jewish Passover.
According to the Gospel of John he drove out moneychangers with a whip (John 2:13-17). These
examples from his ministry are a testament to the power and authority that Jesus held, spiritually
and physically. According to the book Servants of the Servant by Don Howell, “There was
rampant extortion in the exchange rates charged in the currency transactions, an opportunity
afforded further by the requirement that the annual temple-tribute required of all Jews and
proselytes had to be paid in exact half-shekels.”1 It was this very extortion that caused Jesus to
make a decision that would end with him driving those money changers from the temple with a
whip and to overturn tables of those who sold three years later. Jesus deeply opposed the
1 Howell, Don N. Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership. Eugene, OR: Wipf
& Stock Publishers, 2003., p. 180.
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corruption that had crept into the temple during his time, just as a church Pastor should deeply
oppose culturalism and corruption entering the church in our modern area. Jesus mentions his
office as the bridegroom on multiple occasions throughout the gospel (Matt. 9:15, Mark 2:19,
Luke 5:34-35). Just as a husband uses power to care for and protect his wife, Jesus used his
power to protect the temple, and the house of his Father.
Most would say that perhaps this use of force would be considered “unChrist-like” today.
However, as this is Christ’s very example, there must be a form of righteous anger that can
provide fuel for power and authority. According to Howell, “Jesus was moved with holy zeal…
to recover the temple from those who had obscured its intended role to be a distinctive witness to
the Gentiles of the holiness of Israel’s God and the necessity of cleansing from sin.”2 It is the
necessity to cleanse sin that drives Jesus in this moment, and his display of physical strength and
power is used within that context. In a modern perspective, Pastors may not need to drive anyone
from the church with a whip, but it does show them that they must stand firm against sin and
culture and not allow non-Christians to corrupt the church and the house of God. Jesus had a
purpose and intention behind his use of power just as all leaders must have today.
Purpose
Defining the idea of purpose when it comes to leadership can be tricky, as there is the
leader’s purpose and the purpose of the leader. In other words, a leader has intentions and goals
for his ministry, while the ministry needs the leader to fulfill a certain role. Jesus was more
concerned about the intent of the leader, and this is shown by his evaluation of the widow and
her offering (Mark 12:41-44). There were many rich men giving much money to the temple for
the ministry’s operation. Yet, Jesus makes no mention of these men, who could have been giving
2 Howell, Don N. Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership. Eugene, OR: Wipf
& Stock Publishers, 2003., p. 180.
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sums of money that funded the greater needs of the temple, and instead makes mention of this
widow because of her ability to sacrifice. In other words, this woman had a greater sense of
purpose than any of the rich men that were giving out of their abundance. Jesus points this sense
of purpose out to his followers and venerates this woman. It is from this that we can determine
Jesus’s purpose as a leader. Jesus saw the importance of the heart over the importance of
materialistic magnitude but rather intentional and proportional magnitude. He was more
concerned with her sense of sacrifice. Her heart was behind her giving, so much so that she
demonstrates her faith in God as she gives all she had away. Jesus’s purpose was to show his
disciples and followers throughout all generations that this is the type of heart he wants serving
him. Just as much, the modern church Pastor’s purpose should look for this level of faith and
service for those he chooses to lead and minister in his congregation, but they must serve
passionately as well.
Passion
Matthew 23:1-36 puts into perspective the qualities that make Jesus the perfect leader,
particularly when it comes to his unmatched passion in his ministry. In this passage of scripture,
Jesus addresses the crowds and his disciples, exposing the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of
his time. Instead of merely focusing on external practices, Jesus emphasizes the importance of
genuine and humble leadership rooted in love and service. He criticizes the scribes and Pharisees
for their ostentatious displays of righteousness and their failure to practice what they preach
(Matt. 23:3). In contrast to the self-serving leaders, Jesus exemplifies true leadership through his
unwavering commitment to the well-being of others. Jesus also uses passionate language when
addressing these pharisees. According to Howell, “To conclude, Jesus reserved the harshest
language of his earthly ministry for the Pharisees and legal scholars. He called them hypocrites,
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blind guides, sons of hell, murderers, snakes and vipers.”3 Jesus’s language was harsh, but
pointed and had purpose behind it. Jesus was passionate to stand for righteous amidst a culture
and society that essentially feared the very people Jesus condemned in this moment. His scathing
rebuke of the religious elite highlights the importance of authenticity, humility, and compassion
in leadership. Jesus advocates for a servant-leadership model, where greatness is measured by
one's willingness to serve rather than dominate. Jesus was not concerned about being served, but
rather serving and in so had his priorities in order where the pharisees did not.
Priorities
When it comes to the priorities of Jesus, one of the stories that first comes to mind is in
John 13:1–20. This passage paints Jesus as the epitome of the perfect leader. The scripture begins
with Jesus, who is fully aware of his imminent betrayal and crucifixion, deciding to wash the feet
of his disciples. This menial task was traditionally reserved for the lowest servants, yet Jesus, in
an extraordinary display of humility and servant leadership, decided that he would serve his
disciples in this way. The act of foot washing shows his vision for his overarching mission and
priorities. Howell says, “Jesus, rightly elevated as Teacher and Lord and Sender, set his disciples
an example by serving them so that they, mere students and servants and messengers, might
prove their identification with him by serving one another.”4 There is a heavy amount of
symbolism in this, as the cleansing extends beyond the physical act, as it signifies a spiritual
purification and the need for each and every follower of Jesus to prioritize service and love. As
the disciples initially resist this gesture, Jesus teaches them a lesson on the significance of
3 Howell, Don N. Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership. Eugene, OR: Wipf
& Stock Publishers, 2003., p. 182.
4 Ibid., p. 201.
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prioritizing others, emphasizing that true greatness is achieved through selfless service. This ends
in Jesus encouraging his disciples to follow his example, and for the modern pastor, highlights
the importance of aligning one's priorities with the higher purpose of compassion, service, and
love.
Pacing
Mark 14:32-42 is another passage of scripture which codifies Jesus as the perfect leader.
This scripture displays in full force Jesus’s knowledge of pacing. In this passage, Jesus goes to
the Garden of Gethsemane with Peter, James, and John to pray. On the night of his betrayal, he
wrestles with the idea of death on the cross and the suffering he is about to endure for all of
mankind. Jesus shows an extraordinary sense of pacing, especially considering his external and
internal challenges. Jesus chooses to find solace to pray and seeks out the Father’s will. While
doing so, he remains calm even up to the moment of his arrest. This behavior only comes from a
leader who understands the importance of pacing through internal and external struggle. While in
prayer, Jesus recognizes his anguish and shows that he is vulnerable. It also shows that Jesus was
self-aware in his actions and his deeper emotions. Jesus does what many could not in the face of
impending doom and holds true to a purpose bigger than himself in that moment. This moment
of deep sadness displays a leader who paces himself emotionally, looking inward through
introspection and connection with his spiritual source, God the Father. At the same time, Jesus
confronts the external pace of the calamity around him with a composed demeanor. In addition,
he instructs his disciples to stay awake and pray, showing his temperament and ability to not only
pace himself, but his followers. Jesus' ability to bridle the emotions within him and the external
pressures surrounding him proves his mastery of pacing. This mastery is an often-overlooked
pillar of leadership. His calm and collected approach in the face of adversity serves as a lesson
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for leaders of the modern church and emphasizes the importance of balancing introspection with
outward, precise action.
Real-world Application: Leaders Who Last Meets Christ's Example
In the real-world application of leadership attributes, the book Leaders Who Last makes
some excellent assertions. Beginning with the attribute of power, the book exemplifies power in
leadership through leaders humble themselves before the Lord and are on their knees seeking
him and his power which sustains the modern leader. As Dave Kraft notes, "This is vital to
staying connected with Jesus, the power source of our life and ministry. "5 Effective leaders
harness their power which comes from Christ to create positive transformations, emphasizing
justice and fairness within their organizations. By embodying a commitment to Jesus Christ and
being able to humble themselves through prayer and fasting, they establish a culture where
power is wielded with integrity and responsibility.
Purpose-driven leadership, as advocated in Leaders Who Last, translates into leaders
making goals at all levels that have a deeper sense of purpose. Kraft's assertion that "Most
successful enterprises, both private and public, have some sort of purpose or mission statement "6
emphasizes that every organization must be unified in their purpose and that the purpose must be
understood at all levels. In practice, this means leaders steering their teams beyond just following
the rules. Instead, an environment where all members understand the higher calling on the
organization and therefore their lives gives all a sense of divine purpose. Jesus’s ministry
encourages leaders to break free from legalistic paradigms, emphasizing a purpose-driven
5 Kraft, Dave. Leaders Who Last. Wheeton, IL: Crossway, 2010. p. 30.
6 Ibid., p. 43.
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approach that interjects itself into the very hearts of every member of that organization. Real-
world application requires leaders to venerate and encourage behavior and followers who
exemplify this behavior of a purpose that inspires, motivates, and brings enduring significance to
the righteous work that they are called to perform.
In terms of pacing, Leaders Who Last underscores the importance of maintaining a
sustainable rhythm in leadership. Kraft states, "I believe that most leaders travel too fast and
attempt to do too much."7 Leaders must strike a balance between urgency and sustainability,
ensuring that the relentless demands of leadership do not lead to burnout. Real-world application
involves leaders adopting practices and strategies that are sustainable. Leaders can create a
culture of pace in their organizations, by establishing scheduled moments of rest and reflection.
Through this, leaders can ensure sustainability not only in their roles but in the roles of their
subordinates. Priorities also play a crucial role, with the book asserting that "Proper priorities
will protect my purpose and passion."8 Leaders be able to deal with competing demands while
consistently aligning their actions with the values and principles of their specific organization. In
the real world, this translates into leaders making decisions that reflect righteous standards,
fostering a culture where priorities are rooted in biblical principles rather than convenience.
Lastly, passion is a vital attribute, with Leaders Who Last emphasizing that "passion is a God
thing, something that the Spirit of God creates in our hearts as a result of our deep convictions
about who he is and who we are in him."9 Leaders who bring passion to their roles inspire and
7 Kraft, Dave. Leaders Who Last. Wheeton, IL: Crossway, 2010. p. 68.
8 Ibid. p. 60.
9 Ibid. p. 53.
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motivate their teams. In practice, this means leaders infusing enthusiasm and commitment into
their organizations, creating an environment where passion becomes a driving force for
innovation and sustained success.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jesus is the perfect leader in the aspects of power, purpose, passion,
priorities, and pacing. As depicted in the biblical passages of Matthew 21:12-14, Mark 12:41-44,
Matthew 23:1-36, John 13:1–20, and Mark 14:32-42, these passages displayed how Jesus was
the pinnacle for leadership that goes beyond time and culture. Jesus, through cleansing the
temple, emphasizing sacrificial intent, rebuking hypocritical leaders, washing his disciples' feet,
and pacing himself through the external and influences, showcases a leadership style that is
powerful yet just, purposeful yet sacrificial, passionate yet compassionate, prioritized yet
humble, and well-paced yet resilient. His actions and teachings provide a guide for contemporary
leaders, particularly those in the church, to emulate. The modern church Pastor can draw
inspiration from Jesus's use of power to protect the sacred and uphold righteousness, prioritize
sacrificial intent over materialistic magnitude, lead with passion rooted in deep convictions,
establish priorities aligned with biblical principles, and master pacing through a balance of
internal reflection and composed response to external challenges. The real-world application of
these attributes, as highlighted in Leaders Who Last, reinforces the relevance and effectiveness of
Jesus's leadership model in modern times. Leaders who seek humility in power, purpose-driven
goals, genuine passion, righteous priorities, and a well-paced approach can create lasting impact
and inspire enduring significance within their organizations, following the exemplary leadership
of Jesus Christ.
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Bibliography
Howell, Don N. Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership. Eugene, OR: Wipf
& Stock Publishers, 2003.
Kraft, Dave. Leaders Who Last. Wheeton, IL: Crossway, 2010.
