Followership: The Seed of Leadership
“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” John 1:39
Scripture teaches us about many individuals who were champions of faith. People who accomplished great things for God. We learn about these men and women who become faith leaders by first accepting Jesus to be the Son of God. Each life then takes a road they will travel to develop to their faith and make them effective leaders.
Let’s consider the disciples of Jesus for a moment. They were followers of Jesus who did not know where He would lead them or what they would do. Jesus told them He was the way, the truth, and the life. But that truth started as a seed, and it needed to grow and develop in each one of them. Jesus, by His teaching, actions, and patience, helped the disciples grow their faith. He started them slowly with small opportunities and eventually saw them mature to take on larger service opportunities and duties. You see, before they became leaders, they had to learn followership.
I encourage you today to read verses 35-51 of John’s first chapter. Read how these men came to recognize the Messiah, and then follow Him as His disciples. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and proclaimed Him the Lamb of God. The two men with him then followed Jesus – both began walking along with Him and turning to Him as their teacher.
The one named Andrew was quick to find his brother, Simon, to let him know what he had discovered – ah, evangelism in action. John, the writer of this gospel, then goes on to write the experiences of others whom God called into this teacher/student relationship.
Nathaniel’s transformation is interesting in that it demonstrates how an immature faith, or one tainted by prejudice can be changed by an encounter with Jesus. Nathaniel expressed skepticism that anything good could come from Nazareth, let alone the long-awaited Messiah. That is until Jesus confronted his doubt by telling him that He knew Nathaniel as true Israelite when He saw him sitting under a fig tree – before Peter encouraged him to “come and see.” Nathaniel was convinced and Jesus essentially said, “Congratulations but you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Jesus is the master of transforming the ordinary and even the skeptics who do chose to “come and see” into faithful disciples and evangelists. On the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be given to you.” Jesus is more concerned with our followership than our leadership because He understands that how well we follow determines how well we will lead.
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending us Your Son to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. I pray to know Jesus better and to increase my followership capabilities so I may respond as a disciple on the road You would have me travel. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.