Leading Like Jesus

When Jesus lived on this planet earth two thousand years as one among us manifested in flesh his teachings were always meant for all of us, whoever lived whoever is going to live. For he was sure that his word is truth that led us free from the bondage of sin and into his everlasting life.

But as like any of us Jesus went through problems in life, his own people rejected him, His own disciples - Who were with him, those who saw all the miracles and sinless life of Jesus - turned different, One a denying and lying disciple, other a betrayer, an other a doubter. Imagine living with such people who have not changed with such a gifted life. For many prophesied in the past that son of God would come and live among us, but they were all desired to see, but not able. Matthew 13:17 NIV For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. For even now many among us believe that we could see him in his second coming. For Jesus always reminded, that we too are blessed and he has purpose for everything for to make us joyful in our times like this to live peacefully and abundantly. John 20:29 NIV Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
After saying about the Return of an Unclean Spirit, Jesus says we are all blessed, if we observe his words - We are blessed :
Luke 11:27-28 (NASB) While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.”28 But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

God calls everyone to lead, we influence lives in one or the other way, may our every effort in this life be an inspiration for others to lead in the path of Jesus, a way to righteousness and the truth.
Jesus encourages us to do not only good things in life, but also greater things for the kingdom of God.
John 14:12 NIV Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

As people of faith in Jesus Christ our responsibility is to ask Jesus to give us this abundant knowledge in leading, The Psalmist knows what it takes for a leader to lead others, because he always led the sheep. He need to have an order - To call or to make sounds that they can understand how they are to move, He need to have an understanding about the resource zones, where he can find green pastures and still water. He need to place them out of danger from the wolves and lions and other preys that may kill the sheep for food.
Psalm 5:8 NIV
Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies-- make your way straight before me.


Psalm 23-28 King James Version (KJV)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Asking Jesus to lead us:
Matthew 6:13 NIV

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'

Whenever there is a temptation, we need to call upon the Lord, Lord Jesus - Who was tempted beyond measure, but yet he was without sin. He overcame all the temptations. The first and the foremost challenge that he has to face before his ministry is the temptation from satan (Matthew 4:1-11). And we know how Jesus overcame it. It is possible for us to overcome temptations, if we were able to be like Jesus. Learning and Meditating the Word of God. Living and Trusting in God completely.
To not fall into temptation, Jesus asks us to watch and pray:
Matthew 26:41 NIV
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Watching is very important. In many instances Jesus says about how we should be prepared for his second coming.

In the parable of Ten Virgins and the parable of Talents - Jesus says about being aware of the coming of the Lord and how to be prepared for it, as to be blameless and pure, holy and righteous. Standing firm until the End. Doing Father's Will. Believing Jesus Christ as the lord and savior, Submitting and sacrificing ourselves for him, for his glory.

Luke 12:39 (NIV)
39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

Observation Jesus for leading:
Forgiving Others - Jesus though he had not sinned, he asks each and everyone to forgive others who have sinned against us. Though we are sinners, we are to forgive others also. There may be times when someone unknowingly did something or hurt us with words or by deed. It is our responsibility to forgive others. Even though we may be in a Judgment seat and have all the authority to punish them, Just looking at Jesus and remembering the incident of the women who was caught in the very act of adultery - When everyone wanted to stone her, Jesus reminded us of our sinful nature that is in everyone of us, So he not only forgave her but also us. Washing Disciples' Feet - John 13:1-17 - 
John 13:14 NIV
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

Loving Others - Matthew 5:46-48 New Living Translation (NLT)

46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends,[a] how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

God's Masterpiece

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

One of the greatest achievement in our life is understanding what we are in Christ. For in understanding what we are, we find that we are his treasure, Masterpiece. In many a times the Bible says that we are his Children, Friends, We are in one body and the head of us all is Christ.

Being Masterpieces:

We are all given each a gift, one to prophesy and other to preach and other as a vessel to exemplify the life of Christ. But all of us are to follow one thing common - To use our gift for the glory of God.

Romans 12 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Dedicated Service

12 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, [a]acceptable to God, which is your [b]spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this [c]world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may [d]prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [e]acceptable and perfect.

3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, [f]according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if [g]service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with [h]liberality; he who [i]leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; [j]give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the [k]saints, [l]practicing hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute [m]you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but [n]associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. [o]Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but [p]leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Respecting God's will for our life:
God never interviene in our life for our free choices, We may think of all the things that people do and not being Judged, but God knows the way. He gives us the freedom from choosing things - In that way he shows us that he is merciful and willing to help us. Not by strict command or on imposing rules he govern us, but by the truth and love that he makes us know that it is possible only by faith in Jesus our lives are to be free from any bondage to sin.

God's Masterpiece is in choosing what he wants us to become and not what we wanted to. We are not his masterpiece, because of our works that we may boast of ourselves, but by his Grace to glorify him.

On Loving Others

Develop an attitude to see good things happen to others.

It is not just want we do for ourselves for our salvation that matters, but also what we do for others.

The Lawyer's question on Neighbor...

Luke 10:25-37New American Standard Bible (NASB)

25 And a [a]lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? [b]How does it read to you?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”29 But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

The Good Samaritan

30 Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and [c]beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 On the next day he took out two [d]denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’36 Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do [e]the same.”

The unjust judge...

The women's perspective on the Judge that one or the other day he will turn to the truth and will rightly Judge. Developing an attitude to see things happen good to others should also come from looking at the other possibility like this women.

Luke 18 Lexham English Bible (LEB)

The Parable of the Unjust Judge

18 And he told them a parable to show that they must always pray and not be discouraged, 2 saying, “There was a certain judge in a certain town who did not fear God and did not respect people. 3 And there was a widow in that town, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary!’ 4 And he was not willing for a time, but after these things he said to himself, ‘Even if I do not fear God or respect people, 5 yet because this widow is causing trouble for me, I will grant her justice, so that she does not wear me down in the end by her[a] coming back!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge is saying! 7 And will not God surely see to it that justice is done[b] to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, and will he delay toward them? 8 I tell you that he will see to it that justice is done[c] for them soon! Nevertheless, when[d] the Son of Man comes, then will he find faith on earth?”

Paul's acknowledgments on others...
2 Timothy 1:5 NIV
I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

When we were not able to do everything by ourselves, we should take help from others...its always wise to ask when we are in doubts...in much counsels there is hope of things going good.

Proverbs 15:22 NIV
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

If we are having problem like the one who lacked wisdom when he was offered one talent, in the parable of talents... We can change such perspectives in life by looking at Jesus - How he was rejected, used, doubted asked and questioned. But yet he had the courage to ask for forgiveness for them and not to punish..."Father forgive them, for they does't know what they are doing". This way of looking at others changes our perspective. It also changes the perspective when we know what we are seeking, what we want from others and how others wants to treat us....

Our love for others should be that of Jesus' Love on us, as he says,

John 13:34 NIV
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

A true love, unconditional and eternal, that does not seek anything in return or for want of anything.

Jesus Never Gives up on us

We may have experienced grief and failures in this life, due to our lack of understanding the world around us and God's will for our life. But Jesus never quit on insisting us to believe in him.

Sometimes sin we think will not cause any problem, we think we are safe skating on the surface of the ice, but we never know when it will break and we will get into it. Pride for example is one such thing, we will never know how proud we are, until God reveals it to us in different ways for us to realize.

John 5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Healing at Bethesda

5 After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in [a]Hebrew[b]Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [[c]waiting for the moving of the waters; 4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] 5 A man was there who had been [d]ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He *said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus *said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” 9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.

Now it was the Sabbath on that day. 10 So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” 11 But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.’”12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?” 13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus *found him in the temple and said to him,“Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” 15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” 

Jesus never gave up on this man,  When it was his 38th Year in his suffering. When there was no one to help him to put him into the pool when the water is stirred up. When another steps down before him. When it was Sabbath. When this man missed the opportunity every time.

Giving up on Sinful nature is very critical in a Christian life:
The true repentance of Sin is not confessing and receiving the reward as a suffering or wounding or any kind of sacrifice. Many a times we try to do it our own way and think our sins are forgiven, but we again may get into the same sin. True repentance is believing in Jesus, as Jesus took our sins and washed us clean through his blood, through the death at the cross and resurrection. It was not only his death at the cross, but also the resurrection, because we live not only by our power and strength, but by his resurrection power. When we understand that our life that which we are living is a gift from God, that by our sins we would have be dead, though we were to be condemned to death, he took our sins and redeemed us. The communion that he offers giving us his body and blood, for remembrance that we are not anymore bound by any sin or evil. Giving us access to the heavenly Father.

If we were to truly repented from our sins, we will never do the same sin again and again, if we were to do the same sin again and again, its not a true repentance of sin.

Luke 24:47  (ESV)
and that repentance and[a] forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 

John 8:1-11New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Adulterous Woman

8 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them.3 The scribes and the Pharisees *brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, 4 they *said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6 They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, [a]Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]

Jesus never gave up on this woman who was caught in adultery. When everyone wanted to kill her(Stone her to death), When everyone thought they were right, When everyone wanted to condemn her for her sins.

Jesus - The Cornerstone

Luke 4:14-30New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Jesus’ Public Ministry

14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.

16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17 And the [a]book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the [b]book and found the place where it was written,

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are oppressed,
19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

20 And He closed the [c]book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your [d]hearing.” 22 And all were [e]speaking well of Him, and wondering at the [f]gracious words which [g]were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” 23 And He said to them, “No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’” 24 And He said, “Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown. 25 But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; 26 and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to [h]Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”28 And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things;29 and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, He went His way.

Jesus was rejected by his own people.  Even before he started the ministry his first challenge is to overcome the rejection.

Jesus was able to overcome this by his nature:

He knew the truth: “Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown.

As Jesus says: John 5:41 KJV I receive not honour from men.

Jesus was questioned, doubted, rejected and killed for all that he is and for what he has done. We are not to be surprised if we were put down for doing good.

Ephesians 2:18-22New American Standard Bible (NASB)

18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the [a]saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy [b]temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

1 Peter 2:4-12New American Standard Bible (NASB)

As Living Stones

4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is [a]choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, [b]are being built up as aspiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in [c]Scripture:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone,
And he who believes in [d]Him will not be [e]disappointed.”

7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,

“The stone which the builders rejected,
This became the very corner stone,”

8 and,

“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”;

for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may [f]because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of [g]visitation.

Psalm 118:22-29New American Standard Bible (NASB)

22 The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief corner stone.
23 This is [a]the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 O Lord, do save, we beseech You;
O Lord, we beseech You, do send prosperity!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord;
We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God, and He has given us light;
Bind the festival sacrifice with cords [b]to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I give thanks to You;
You are my God, I extol You.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.