Jesus the King! What Is His Leadership Style?
Last post we started the subject of Jesus’ earthly reign as the King or President of all nations. That post was the foundation of this subject. If you missed it you can find it here: http://godisjustlikejesus.blogspot.com/2014/01/jesus-earthy-king-or-president-of-all.html. In these posts I want to do two things. First, I want to define Jesus’ Kingdom on the earth (not just in heaven). Second, I want to bring clarity to the way Jesus reigns by using examples from the Gospels. I want to answer the question, “If Jesus is going to rule the entire earth, what kind of leader will He be?”
Part 1: Jesus as an earthly King or President:
When Paul preached Jesus in Thessalonica he clearly revealed that Jesus was the King of the earth. His preaching stirs up so much controversy that Jason and some other disciples are dragged into court. Listen the accusations against them:
“These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” Acts 17:6-7
Often we misinterpret statement about Jesus being a King and think, “Well, He is a heavenly King… not a real King or President on the earth.” But scripture clearly states He will be the King of the entire earth after the great battle of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah and Zechariah clearly see that Jesus’ Throne will be physically established in Jerusalem and ALL nations with come to honor (worship) Him!
“At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the Lord, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of theLord. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.” Jer 3:17
“The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.” Zech 14:9
In Isaiah we see 1) all the nations coming up to a physical city, Jerusalem, to learn from Jesus and 2) peace – all weapons of war are refashioned into implements for farming or making food.
“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of theLord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” Is 2:2-5
Zechariah talks about the survivors from ALL the nations that engaged in the battle of Jerusalem (Armageddon) going up after this battle to worship Jesus on the Throne. Jesus is the King. People can still choose to follow God or not during this time. Note the specific instructions to the Egyptians.
“ Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LordAlmighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. 17 If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, they will have no rain. 18 If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain.” Zech 14: 16-17
Part 2: How Jesus leads as a King defined by the Gospels:
Once we accept that the Kingdom of Heaven is really going to come to earth through the great conflict described in Revelation, we start asking ourselves, “What kind of King will Jesus be?”
Jesus was kind to the right people and fierce towards the right people. He will still be this way when He comes to confront all evil on the earth and enforce goodness in every sector of the earth: political, civil, business and family. So, who was Jesus kind to?
“While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Mark 2:15
Jesus holds to the truth but has open arms to welcome anyone turning from evil to goodness. This is not about perfection but about change and growth. He embraces the disciples, the everyday people, the oppressive tax collectors, prostitutes and other sinners. Jesus doesn’t associate with the high and mighty but with the contrite and humble of heart. It is not perfection Jesus came seeking (no one is perfect) but it was those who were responsive to Him and His values (goodness). That is who He is kind to.
This is why Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3).” Jesus is saying that those people who know their need and are seeking God for help (vs being self-sufficient) will receive help and be blessed.
Who is Jesus fierce with? Who receives His greatest anger?
Jesus greatest anger was reserved for those who said they were good (religious or non-religious) but in fact were hiding evil in their interior life (thoughts, emotions, will) and in their exterior actions and refusing to repent and change. In other words, hypocrites! Many, but not all, of the Pharisees, teachers of the law and the priests embody this double standard.
“Everything they do is done for men to see: … they love the place of honor… they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’ … Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faithfulness. You blind guides!” Matt 23:5, 7, 23
“While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” Luke 20:45-47
When Jesus becomes the physical King of the physical earth, He will lead the same way He did on His first arrival. One of the differences is that during His second arrival He will enforce goodness rather than only reveal Kingdom values and call people to align themselves with Him. The Sermon on the Mount values are the King’s values.
Take Away:
Since Jesus is kind to humble and responsive people that means God is kind to humble and responsive people. Since Jesus has clean anger towards oppressive leaders and people who are hypocrites, this reveals that God has clean anger towards those who claim to be perfect but are hiding evil.
1st Commandment Prayer:
Jesus, you are so different than typical human leaders down through history. They made friends with other oppressive leaders to gain more power, but they were horrible to the average people of their lands. They didn’t care for the poor, the orphan or the weak but neglected them or worse eliminated them. You are kind to the needy, the oppressed and the weak. But you also challenge them to grow in your Kingdom values. However, you are fierce towards those who embrace evil as a way of life and refuse to change! You are the Good King!