John
17:11-19
Now I am leaving the world, and leaving them behind, and coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your own care—all those you have given me—so that they will be united just as we are, with none missing. During my time here I have kept safe within your family all of these you gave me. I guarded them so that not one perished, except the son of hell, as the Scriptures foretold.
“And now I am coming to you. I have told them many things while I was with them so that they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your commands. And the world hates them because they don’t fit in with it, just as I don’t. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from Satan’s power. They are not part of this world any more than I am. Make them pure and holy through teaching them your words of truth. As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world, and I consecrate myself to meet their need for growth in truth and holiness.
Food for thought!
And now I am coming to you.
Jesus said these words to indicate that he was going away; he was leaving his disciples. Leaders must have not only vision and mission but also tremendous personal resolve. While leaders attract followers, at any moment they must be able to walk away from them, lest they become followers themselves. When the time came, Jesus went away. Perhaps the true mark of a leader is that she or he is willing to stand alone.
It must have been difficult for Jesus to say no to people. The whole essence of his being seemed to say yes. But he did say no. He said no to the ambitious young man who wanted to follow him. He said no to his mother when she was trying to interrupt his teaching. He said no to Judas about turning to politics. He said no to temptations in the wilderness. He said no, at times, to himself: “No, I will not run from this. I will drink the cup that is placed before me.” Jesus' leadership style was intended to be put to use by all of us. His leadership is food for thought for all of us.
Jesus prayed for his disciples because he knew that this group would outlive him and would carry out the task he had started. Jesus prayed for his disciples also because he knew that had to depend on them to accomplish his goal. Do you ever pray for your colleagues? Your Boss? Your Staff? Do you realize that your success depends on their success?
Each of us must answer to someone. In fact, when a person begins to think there is no one to answer to, problems really begin. Jesus knew who his boss was, and he kept in touch with him daily. Jesus met with his boss daily, usually for hours. Nothing could interrupt the time that was predesignated, set aside, and honored. As a leader, it is vitally important that you keep in touch with your boss on a regular, sacrosanct basis. Chances are your boss can provide an aerial view that will make your path more clear. Jesus kept in constant contact with his boss. Do You?
Now I am leaving the world, and leaving them behind, and coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your own care—all those you have given me—so that they will be united just as we are, with none missing. During my time here I have kept safe within your family all of these you gave me. I guarded them so that not one perished, except the son of hell, as the Scriptures foretold.
“And now I am coming to you. I have told them many things while I was with them so that they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your commands. And the world hates them because they don’t fit in with it, just as I don’t. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from Satan’s power. They are not part of this world any more than I am. Make them pure and holy through teaching them your words of truth. As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world, and I consecrate myself to meet their need for growth in truth and holiness.
Food for thought!
And now I am coming to you.
Jesus said these words to indicate that he was going away; he was leaving his disciples. Leaders must have not only vision and mission but also tremendous personal resolve. While leaders attract followers, at any moment they must be able to walk away from them, lest they become followers themselves. When the time came, Jesus went away. Perhaps the true mark of a leader is that she or he is willing to stand alone.
It must have been difficult for Jesus to say no to people. The whole essence of his being seemed to say yes. But he did say no. He said no to the ambitious young man who wanted to follow him. He said no to his mother when she was trying to interrupt his teaching. He said no to Judas about turning to politics. He said no to temptations in the wilderness. He said no, at times, to himself: “No, I will not run from this. I will drink the cup that is placed before me.” Jesus' leadership style was intended to be put to use by all of us. His leadership is food for thought for all of us.
Jesus prayed for his disciples because he knew that this group would outlive him and would carry out the task he had started. Jesus prayed for his disciples also because he knew that had to depend on them to accomplish his goal. Do you ever pray for your colleagues? Your Boss? Your Staff? Do you realize that your success depends on their success?
Each of us must answer to someone. In fact, when a person begins to think there is no one to answer to, problems really begin. Jesus knew who his boss was, and he kept in touch with him daily. Jesus met with his boss daily, usually for hours. Nothing could interrupt the time that was predesignated, set aside, and honored. As a leader, it is vitally important that you keep in touch with your boss on a regular, sacrosanct basis. Chances are your boss can provide an aerial view that will make your path more clear. Jesus kept in constant contact with his boss. Do You?
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