FOLLOW THE LEADER“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven...However, do
not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your
names are written in heaven.”We read that Jesus rejoiced and celebrated with them:
“Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise
You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You
have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and
revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was
Your good pleasure’...Then He turned to His disciples
and said privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you
see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted
to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what
you hear but did not hear it” (Lk. 10:17-24).After Jesus had fully entered into their joy, and celebrated their victories
with them, He said to them:
“Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some
rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a
solitary place” (Mk. 6:31-32).The Authorized Version translates this verse as follows: “Come ye
yourselves apart...and rest a while...” Paraphrasing this verse, the
prince of preachers, Vance Havner humorously said: “If we do not come
apart and rest awhile – we will soon just come apart!” There is a lot of truth
in that wise observation!
Jesus sent His disciples out to face some incredible “people problems.”
Some were physical. Some emotional. All were in some way spiritual.
But through His shared authority, coupled with the power of His Holy
Spirit, all problems were successfully faced...all needs were met...each
sickness was healed...and all demons were exorcised. After that intense
time of spiritual warfare, Jesus processed the problem-solving with His
disciples. After a time of doing that, He led them in a time of praise and
thanksgiving.
It is highly important for a wise spiritual leader to lead his people in
problem solving, processing, and praise. Harvard Business School’s John
Kotter, wisely points out: