KEY SCRIPTURE: John 15:15 KJV” Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

The Lord Jesus was a very diligent leader who was very serious with whatever He did. Despite His diligence to duty, He found time to relate to His disciples in a very cordial way. He actually got the best out of them, because never broke the laws of God. He said I sanctify myself so they may be sanctified. He was a real motivation to them in all things. In Paul’s letter to Timothy, He encouraged him not to make anyone despises His youth, but to be an example,

1Tim 4:12 KJV “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

The Lord was also an example to His disciples. They were even prepared to die like He died.

We see the friendliness in the master when He called His disciples. He has some of them nicknames. Mark 3:17 KJV “And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:”

In John 13:23 the bible said one of His disciples leaned on his chest. Can you imagine a leader who was so close to His disciples in such a way? Even Judas dipped his bread into the bowl of the master when they were eating. John 13:18. In our key scripture He says He no longer calls His disciples, servants or slaves, but friends because He has made everything known to them.

As I said in the first paragraph, it is in breaking God’s laws or word that makes leaders lose their authority. In spite of this, a leader cannot stoop so low, in such a way that His subordinates tend to despise his authority. In light of the above explanations, what makes friendship leadership very important? Good associations help in building loyal relationships. It only takes a devil to become disloyal, as Judas did. The bible called him a devil. Good associations help in passing on information or ideas on the heart of the leader to his associates in a quick and easier way. Such information flows fast, and they learn a lot from the leader. The Lord Jesus taught His disciples more in an informal way than formal. As he walked along with them, He shared important teachings with them. They also asked questions without being afraid of Him. Jesus truly loved His disciples.

What makes leaders to relate on cordial levels with their associates? The answer is Humility. It takes a humble mind to relate in a very cordial and friendly way with your associates. Those who maintain a stern bossy face soon lose their associates. The man may not brake away but might have broken away in his heart.

PRAYER.

Dear Father I pray for all leaders to be real examples to their associates, yet very friendly as well to them. May they play these two roles to perfection.

THOUGHT: A FRIENDLY LEADER WINS HIS ASSOCIATES

FURTHER STUDIES

John 13:1 KJV “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”

John 15:15 KJV” Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”