Christ, the Ultimate Leader

Why Jesus is the “reason for the season”? It probably helps to understand what the season is about. The season could be summarized as a time to give gifts of appreciation, love, and devotion to others. It has been a custom for centuries for kingdoms to bring gifts to each other as an alliance with, or tribute to, another kingdom. Although the season of Christmas isn’t about building alliances with others, it is about bringing cheer and happiness to someone which helps build stronger relationships. 

God began His gift giving by creating life, then giving a promise of an even better life. 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 describes our “giving gifts of love to others” as a way to honor Christ and proclaim the good news. It’s kind of an echo of His “surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 

God’s indescribable gift was found in Jesus (John 3:16), who showed us how to live (1 Peter 2:20-21; Phillipians 2:3-5), not just in His presence, but His influence. Consider how Jesus’ understanding of scripture as a tool to guide us amazed people during His ministry, Matthew 7:28-29, “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (even before His ministry began, Luke 2:47). 

Jesus’ way of living and interpreting scripture leads us in a powerful way to the Promised Land that the Israelites failed to enter because of their lack of trust in Moses’ (really God’s) leadership (Hebrews 3:19). Today, we are “blessed because we follow Him even though we don’t see [Him]” (John 20:29). To follow Jesus is to trust his leadership, to trust his authority in our lives, and to trust his words (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

So, how would we “exchange gifts” with Jesus? He described the commitment to live by His ways and follow Him in Luke 9:57-62, which ultimately is about our surrendering our will to His and knowing that His will establishes an amazing foundation for a beautiful life. It pleases God to see people trust in His son and to follow His example in life. 

His leadership gives us peace and comfort. We don’t have to do this alone. Thankfully, God has consistently worked through other people to become the peace and comfort we need in our most troubling times. Therefore, giving gifts to those who have brought peace and comfort to our lives, or who have modeled wisdom and compassion, should be a natural expression of gratitude. It’s for this reason that leadership should be so highly valued within the body of Christ.