Jesus' Leadership #27 Even He Was Open to People's Responses and Ideas, Do You?

Why would a Person with the authority and power of God go around asking people, "What do you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51, NLT; Luke 18:41). Some religious leaders ignored Jesus' questions such as this one. According to them, if Jesus really was the Son of God, He would not have asked people what they wanted – He would always be telling them what to do. In their minds, there is no concept of spiritual leadership, but authoritarian-dictatorship.

As a leader (we know that He is first the Saviour), Jesus was open to people and their responses and ideas. He constantly asked His disciples what they were thinking and asked the people in front of Him, "What do you want?" "Do you see anything?" (Mark 8:23) "What are you looking for?" (John 1:38), and more. He encouraged people to ask for things and to be specific in their requests. "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for… For everyone who asks, receives" (Matthew 7:7-8). "You parents – if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?... Of course not!" He asked as to jolt them to think, "So… how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him" (read Matthew 7:9, 11). The whole essence of the Bible is about a loving God who is eager to give His children good things.

I remember reading the Book of Genesis, in the Garden of Eden, after God created animals, "He brought them to the man [Adam] to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one" (2:19). Why would God commanded Adam to choose and "give names to all" the animals (v.20)? Well, unless of course – in His sovereignty – to a certain degree, God desires for a cooperative creative-venture between Himself and humankind. God is interested in our responses and ideas.

Even if you disagree about the cooperative creative-venture I mention above, in the level of humanity, life, as it is, is about co-operation and companionship. What better way to demonstrate that than by being listening and responsive leaders? Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong once said during an interview, "You need people who have their own views, whose views you respect, whom you can have a productive disagreement with, and work out ideas which you might not have come up with, or who improve on ideas you had." Though you can't possibly improve Jesus' ideas, but as a leader, Jesus was open to people, their responses, and ideas.

When was the last time you listened to other's idea?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.