Jesus' leadership #2 Always In A State of Celebrations

Perhaps Jesus loved celebrations so much because he was born at a party. I believe any event that has heavenly light show, people bearing gifts from distant places, and a host of angels singing and giving directions is a celebration of major proportions. It must have made an impact on him.

One of his first miracles was to turn water into wine (not vinegar). As his fame and popularity grew, he was constantly invited to dinner at Nicodemus’s or Peter’s or rich young people’s houses. The night before he was arrested, he gathered his disciples together to sing songs and dine.

When crowds came, Jesus was adamant that nobody leave with an empty stomach. He always managed to locate food for them. He turned one boy’s lunch into food for thousands. He told stories of a king who arranged a banquet and then got angry and disappointed when nobody came. He spoke of a father throwing a lavish party to celebrate a wayward son’s return. When Jesus returned from the dead, he prepared a fish barbecue on the shore – sort of a “team picnic.”

He came from a very happy place, and he knew he was returning to a very happy place. When he said, “Wherever two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:19-20), perhaps he saw a party coming on. Indeed, his invitations read “I go prepare a place [setting] for you” (John 14:2). I think he is telling us to lighten up. “Why do you worry so?” he would ask. “Don’t you see the flowers… how beautiful they are? Do you think your Father is going to let you wear less than these?”

A 10 years old once asked Beth Jones if she knew what Jesus’ first words were after he came out of the tomb. “No,” she replied. “What were they?” He spread his arms, jumped forward with a grin, and said, “Ta-dah!” Jesus was constantly in a state of celebration.

Do you celebrate only the big things?

What are some small things to celebrate?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

*Taken from Jesus, CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership (1995) by Laurie Beth Jones without permission. I have added Bible verses, cut and modified some material for smooth, short and comprehensive reading.