September 7, 2020

Leaders Define Reality and Offer Hope

Leaders Define Reality and Offer Hope

Leaders Define Reality and Offer Hope

September 7, 2020
September 7, 2020

Leaders Define Reality and Offer Hope

Leaders Define Reality and Offer Hope

Jesus defines reality because He made reality. He made everything. He defines reality because He is reality. He is the very definition of truth. He is the Word of God made flesh.

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“The role of the leader is to define reality and give hope.”

This famous leadership quote is credited to Napoleon. However, only one man demonstrated this type of leadership perfectly. No one defines reality more clearly, or offers more glorious and life-giving hope, than Jesus.

Jesus defines reality because He made reality. He made everything. Jesus defines reality because He is ultimate reality. He is the definition of truth. He is the Word of God made flesh. The Gospel of John describes both of these points perfectly. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (John 1:1-4).

Jesus offers hope as He leads us to glory. “And we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

And Jesus doesn't only offer hope when things are going well. Jesus always offers hope. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:37-38).

Jesus spent all three years of His earthly ministry defining reality and offering hope. He declares our reality is that we are hopeless sinners in need of a savior. He explained reality to the rich, powerful, and even the religious when He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). And He clarifies reality to the outcasts and the oppressed as well. He famously defined reality for the Samaritan woman at the well when He told her “all that [she] ever did” (John 14:39). Yet, even as Jesus declared the grim reality of her situation, He quickly offered hope. “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14).

Our truest reality is that we are sinners, and that sin separates us from God. Our truest hope is that Jesus offers us new life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17).

Do you believe in the promises Jesus made? You wouldn't be the first to doubt Him over the past 2,000 years. Even the great prophet, John the Baptist, had doubts as he sat in prison and heard stories about Jesus. Perhaps, Jesus was not the type of messiah John was expecting. Maybe that’s why he asked his disciples to question Jesus and make certain his promises were true. But Jesus was not offended by their questions. He told them to “go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me” (Luke 7:22-23).

Notice how Jesus transferred reality into hope:

  • The blind see
  • The lame walk
  • The sick are healed
  • The deaf hear
  • The dead are raised
  • The poor receive good news

What reality are you facing right now? Is it bigger than the things on that list? Jesus is knocking, asking you to give Him your reality so He can renew you today and offer you the type of everlasting hope that will never let you down. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20). Join Him!

Howard Graham
Howard Graham
Executive Director

“The role of the leader is to define reality and give hope.”

This famous leadership quote is credited to Napoleon. However, only one man demonstrated this type of leadership perfectly. No one defines reality more clearly, or offers more glorious and life-giving hope, than Jesus.

Jesus defines reality because He made reality. He made everything. Jesus defines reality because He is ultimate reality. He is the definition of truth. He is the Word of God made flesh. The Gospel of John describes both of these points perfectly. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (John 1:1-4).

Jesus offers hope as He leads us to glory. “And we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

And Jesus doesn't only offer hope when things are going well. Jesus always offers hope. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:37-38).

Jesus spent all three years of His earthly ministry defining reality and offering hope. He declares our reality is that we are hopeless sinners in need of a savior. He explained reality to the rich, powerful, and even the religious when He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). And He clarifies reality to the outcasts and the oppressed as well. He famously defined reality for the Samaritan woman at the well when He told her “all that [she] ever did” (John 14:39). Yet, even as Jesus declared the grim reality of her situation, He quickly offered hope. “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14).

Our truest reality is that we are sinners, and that sin separates us from God. Our truest hope is that Jesus offers us new life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17).

Do you believe in the promises Jesus made? You wouldn't be the first to doubt Him over the past 2,000 years. Even the great prophet, John the Baptist, had doubts as he sat in prison and heard stories about Jesus. Perhaps, Jesus was not the type of messiah John was expecting. Maybe that’s why he asked his disciples to question Jesus and make certain his promises were true. But Jesus was not offended by their questions. He told them to “go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me” (Luke 7:22-23).

Notice how Jesus transferred reality into hope:

  • The blind see
  • The lame walk
  • The sick are healed
  • The deaf hear
  • The dead are raised
  • The poor receive good news

What reality are you facing right now? Is it bigger than the things on that list? Jesus is knocking, asking you to give Him your reality so He can renew you today and offer you the type of everlasting hope that will never let you down. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20). Join Him!

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