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PROGRAM D-8140
Why was Jesus such a great leader? One reason is because Jesus was awesome in dealing with people. He had the best people skills ever. Let me briefly point out just a few examples.
He was able to communicate a vision of what people could become. “Follow me,” he said to some poor fishermen, “and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). He told his disciples they would do even greater things than he had done. He beautifully communicated the vision and importance of what he was asking people to do.
Another reason Jesus was such a terrific people-person is that he made the benefits and rewards very clear. “I came to give you abundant life” (John 10:10), he promised. “Great will be your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:12), he told them. “I’m going to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2), he said. He understood the importance of work-related benefits and rewards.
Jesus was wonderful with people because he was willing to forgive them and give them second and third chances. He didn’t give up on someone just because they had failed. Think of Peter: he denied Jesus three times, but Jesus restored him to fellowship. Peter went on to become the rock of the early church.
Jesus was also able to relate so beautifully with people because he had a servant attitude. He came to serve, not to be served, he said, and he demonstrated it over and over again. Just imagine: the God-man coming to earth to serve mankind! Incredible but true. He was a servant.
But mostly, Jesus was successful as a leader because he truly loved and cared for each individual and put their interest above his own. He loved so much that he died. No wonder he changed the course of all history. Was there ever anyone like him? No, never! The incredible news is that as believers, we have his Spirit in us and are being transformed into his image.
Ask yourself, how are your people skills? Do you communicate a vision to people? Are you willing to reward those who earn it? Do you give people a second chance? Are you a servant-leader? And do you truly care for others? Those are some of the attributes that made Jesus so special.
How often have you said of someone, “They’re really smart but they just have no people skills.” As believers, that should not be true of us because we should have the same heart for people that Jesus did. Do you need better people skills? I know that I do. Let’s make it a matter of daily prayer and ask God to make us more like Jesus in relating to the people in our lives.