Leadership Lessons from Herod and Jesus

Are you frustrated with your organization's culture? As Christians we are called to be an agent for transformation in the power of the Gospel. How can we transform our calling-places? The answer lies in following the leadership of Jesus Christ.

In Mathew 14, we see two types of leaders: Herod and Jesus Christ. First in verses 1-12, we meet king Herod who was unhappy with John the Baptist who was speaking the truth against him. Herod wanted to kill John the Baptist, but he could not because he feared the people who were saying John was a prophet (v. 5). But, one day during his birthday party, Herod made an impulsive promise to his daughter who pleased him with dancing that he would give her whatever she would ask. The daughter asked for a head of John the Baptist. Even though Herod knew this was not a good idea, because of his promise (or because of fear of the people), Herod ended up killing John the Baptist. Why did Herod act in such a way? We can find clues from his leadership style.

1. Herod led with cruelty.

Even though John was speaking the truth of God's words. Instead of listening to it, Herod ended up killing John the Baptist. He had no regard or compassion for the life of a prophet who was carrying out his job faithfully to deliver God's council.

2. Herod led in fear

The reason that Herod was hesitant to kill John in the first place was because he feared the people (v. 5). But, during his birthday party, Herod changed his mind to kill John. Why did he change his mind? It was once again because he feared the people in front of whom he made an imprudent oath.

3. Herod led for pleasure

During his birthday party, he gave an imprudent oath, because he was so immersed in his self pleasure (v. 6). Because he was so focused on satisfying his own selfish desire, he could not think clearly and ended up making unwise decision to kill John.

On the other hand, in verses 13 and on, we see totally different style of leadership from Jesus Christ. How does Jesus lead?

1. Jesus leads with Compassion

When hearing that John the Baptist was dead, Jesus was moved in his heart. So he withdrew to a desolate place (v. 13). But, this was the time when the large crowd came to see Jesus. Instead of saying, "Crowds I am very sad now. So leave me alone," it says: "Jesus had compassion on them and healed their sick" (v. 14).

When my dad passed away, it was a difficult time. During that time if someone came to me for help, I would even not have met that person. But, here we see Jesus leading with a compassion that was greater than his sorrow. We all have interruption moments throughout the day. Do we treat those interruption moments as an opportunity to minister to the people or ignore and move on?

2. Jesus leads in Faith

While ministering to the people, Jesus wanted to give people something to eat. But, Jesus and the disciples had only five loaves and two fish (v. 17). Jesus had an absolute faith that it was enough. He started to share the five loaves and two fish with the crowd, and soon they were full. We often think that to do great things for God, we need to have tons of resources. But, God's infinite power is shown where there is faith.

3. Jesus leads in Prayer

Lastly Jesus leads in prayer. After dismissing the crowd, finally Jesus spends his time alone with God (v. 23). Prayer is a time where we get to commune with God. It is also a time during which we grow in God's power to deny ourselves (to live for our pleasures which Herod did) and grow in faith. So, during this prayer time, Jesus was refreshed and recharged to overcome his sorrow for John, to deny himself, and to serve in greater power.

How often do we spend time in prayer? Only in prayer, we can grow in God's power to deny ourselves to live for our pleasure and re-orient our heart and soul to God's will.

What would happen if we go back to our calling-places of work, family, and community with this kind of leadership? Leadership that serves people with God's compassion. Leadership that acts in faith, and the leadership that is empowered in prayer?

Matthew 14 ends in verses 34-36 with Jesus doing much mightier works of God. It says in verse 36, "As many as touched him were made well." The result of Jesus' leadership was transformation of people's lives and their healing. The result of leadership that values compassion over cruelty, that acts in faith not in fear, and that empowers in prayer not in pleasure will radically transform the people's lives and heal their wounds.