Learning from Jesus – leading and following
No questions, no hesitation, neither from Jesus nor from the men he summoned, in a sparsely detailed scene which leaves us with the questions. How well did they know him? Was his charismatic authority such that they could not say no? No, probably not, since the gospels record others who turned away. Did he know them and their future so well that there was no risk for him? No, probably not, since he also called Judas. Was Jesus responding to a Spirit flash of guidance? No, probably not, since later Matthew tells us that he spent a night in prayer before choosing the twelve.
He called them, took them with him, lived and travelled with them, discipled and trained them, taught them on the job. They can have had no idea what they were in for. Later they would question his plans, fail to understand him, betray and deny him. But he believed in them and in the end they did the work entrusted to them, which is why I am writing this and you are reading it.
So what do we learn from Jesus in this cryptic scene. First and foremost we recognise that he calls us, as he called Peter and Andrew, to follow him. And his Spirit spends the same kind of patient forbearance in training us and transforming us into the Christlikeness of whole life disciples.
But we also learn how to be like him in the lesser workings of our areas of authority. How do we appoint, promote and encourage employees? Do we take calculated risks with those who have potential? And support them and work beside them in the hard tasks? Do we encourage our children to mature and take responsibility? Do we explain adequately? Do we demonstrate how to do things and not just issue orders? Are we prepared to admonish and call to account where that is a necessary training tool? And, because we are human, are we prepared to listen to those we are teaching and leading, when we need admonishing?
Come follow me and I will make you....
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