SUMMARY
Luke is the only Gospel writer to record the events of Jesus' life in chronological order. Experts consider hime to be one of the most accurate historians of his day, although by trade, he was a medical doctor. Rather than beginning his Gospel traditionally, he assures his readers he founded his account on historically verifiable information and evidence - he wants to establish credibility for his message.
Luke portrays Jesus as the perfect Man. He recognizes Jesus' divinity, but wants to give his readers a picture of what a human life might look like if a man were to walk with God consistently. Jesus, once again, becomes the Ultimate Leader.
From Luke's vantage point, Jesus lives the perfect life of leadership and authority. He is the Man who, because He never sins, truly does take dominion over the earth and subdue it. (Gen. 1:26-28). The animals and fish obey Him; sick bodies obey Him; fig trees obey Him - even the dead obey Him. Everywhere Jesus goes, He leads. Everywhere Jesus goes, He serves.
Luke also portrays Jesus as an equipping Leader. He focuses on the teaching ministry of Jesus, that He equips and empowers every hungry person who comes to Him. Those who come to Him already full and satisfied get nothing. Those who come to Him starving receive everything needed. That's how Jesus leads. He compels no one to do anything, yet followers flock to Him by the thousands. As you read through Luke, look especially for examples of the Laws of Empowerment, Navigation, Influence, Connection, Intuition, and Reproduction.
God's Role in Luke
God reveals to us in Luke what a perfect leader looks like; he looks like Jesus. Instead of forcing others to follow or or submit to His power, Jesus loves them into a desire to follow. He sets the standard for us in His exercise of authority over people, over the elements of nature, and even over the powers of His day. His serene and authoritative response to adverse circumstances shows us how we are to respond to our own difficult circumstances. His fulfillment of a divine purpose challenges us to pursue our own.
Jesus teaches us that a leader cannot pursue love and power simultaneously. Instead of pursuing power, Jesus pursues love - and in the end, He gets both. Today, He holds more power and elicits more love than anyone in history.
Lessons in Leadership
- Healthy leaders have nothing to prove, nothing to lose, and nothing to hide.
- Wise leaders speak the truth, whatever the cost.
- Effective leaders provide incentives to their followers.
- Successful leaders discern, then develop, then delegate.
- Great leaders feel secure enough to express emotions and be vulnerable.
- The best leaders love the world, serve the many, but train the few.
- Good leaders practice repetition until others embrace the vision.
- The most powerful force in a leader's life is love for people.
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