Four Leadership Principles from Jesus

It has always fascinated me when stories have come out about some leader or public figure performing some act of service. I’m not talking about the photo ops when a politician or other celebrity shows up at a soup kitchen with more photographers than clients, spends more time posing for pictures than actually serving the meal, and focuses more on hyping a personal agenda than on supporting the cause. I’m talking about those times a leader goes out of the way to serve where there are no photographers, beat writers, or press agents present.

Such was the case when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples as reported in John 13. The only reason we know about the event depends on the testimony of recipients of that service. When the GOAT (greatest of all time) Leader speaks and acts, those of us interested in leading well should pay attention. Notice these four principles of leadership from Jesus’s example in John 13.

Love Is the Key

Leadership, good leadership anyway, is based on love. Jesus, “having loved his own . . . loved them to the end” (v. 1). People in positions of leadership or desiring positions of leadership often attempt to accomplish their goals and responsibilities by intimidation, manipulation, and fear. Such people might get things done, but they don’t lead. If the authority that allows them to intimidate, manipulate, and stoke fear were to be removed from them, they would have no followers. They mistake and substitute authority and power (or more specifically, it’s abuse) for leadership.

But Jesus, the GOAT Leader, led from love.

Don’t Be Afraid to Get Dirty

In verses 2-11, we see Jesus’s most humble act of service next to His crucifixion—washing the feet of His disciples. Then, as now, feet were nasty. There were no sidewalks. Most travel routes were dirt roads and streets. Bare earth made up the floor in most homes and places of business. When the rain came, mud followed. And feet gathered the dust, mud, and grime of the ground as individuals plodded about their tasks or traversed from place to place.

So washing feet was dirty work—so dirty that only the lowliest of slaves were required to perform the service. Yet Jesus did not hesitate to remove His outer clothing, take up a towel and basin of water, and proceed with washing twelve sets of nasty feet. We live in a different culture now. Much has changed, but two things haven’t changed—dirty jobs still exist, and leaders don’t shy away from doing the dirty jobs.

Explain Yourself

After Jesus completed His self-appointed servant task, He put back on His outer garment and returned to His place around the table with the others. Once there, He interpreted His actions for the benefit of those who would shortly take up the leadership mantel He had been carrying (vv. 12-20).

Not everything a leader does can be addressed publicly. Ethical considerations for other people and, in our day, legal ramifications can sometimes require unexplained actions. But the example we see from Jesus, both here and throughout the Gospels, shows a disposition toward openness and explaining Himself—repeatedly in some instances—to those He led.

Serve Your Opponents

Notice that Judas Iscariot’s departure from the gathering occurred after Jesus had washed the feet of His disciples (vv. 21-30). And unless we believe Jesus’s knowledge of His betrayal and betrayer suddenly came upon Him in verse 21, then we must conclude He knew Judas was about to betray Him at the time He washed Judas’s feet.

It is at least a near-universal truth that leaders will face opposition. And such opposition does not limit itself to “outsiders.” The most troubling opposition comes from “insiders” whom the leader expects to be on the team. But the GOAT Leader humbly, knowingly served even that person.

Interested in learning more from Jesus about leading well? You will find a six-session study from Jesus on Leadership: Becoming a Servant Leader by C. Gene Wilkes in Lifeway’s MasterWork series.