THE RELIGION OF JESUS AND THE TESTS OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP (LUKE 9.46-56)

• The disciples of Jesus were confused to hear their Guru twice announcing his miserable departure (suffering and death; Lk 9.22-27; 43b-45). Both announcements were delivered only within days. As we know from the Gospels, Jesus and his disciples were not members of a solid organization with established rules and system. The only requirement for group recruitment was a willingness to leave all things behind and to step forward following Jesus with loyalty. The age of the group was also relatively young. If Jesus started his ministry at around 30, the disciples had been with Jesus for approximately only three years.

• The confusion was leading towards psychological stress and depression for the twelve. Jesus was undoubtedly a charismatic leader. Though his leadership was not approved by the academy and religious authorities, Jesus was so powerful and authoritative. Jesus healed the sick, casted away demons, performed extraordinary miraculous works and preached the Kingdom with authority. The 'little,' young and inexperience disciples enjoyed fancy security to be with Jesus. Though they were not rich, they were happy to always be with such a celebrity like Jesus. The twelve were very proud to be the followers of the most phenomenal and influential individual of the time.

• The security however would soon depart. The two times (not counting the third) proclamation of his suffering and death signifies that Jesus was serious about what he was saying. The disciples unfortunately did not clearly comprehend the statements of Jesus (Lk 9.45). More likely, they were not willing to embrace the realities they did not want to face. On one hand it is surprising to see the closest people around Jesus were blind concerning the mission of their own master. On the other hand, the attitude of the disciples was psychologically justified. They certainly wanted to stay secure with Jesus forever and to enjoy the celebrity life style with him as long as possible (look at Peter's response in Mat 16.22). 'Don't leave us too fast Master!' cried the twelve. 'We are now on the top state of our ministry, why don't you expand the business and make it bigger Teacher?' asked the disciples. 'Why has the comfort zone be broken abruptly Sir?' protested Jesus' disciples.

• In that period of confusion, and as natural and spontaneous responses towards recent situation, the disciples took initiatives to solve the issue. First, they began a discussion concerning on who was the greatest among them. The purpose of the discussion was to seek the most capable individual to be appointed as the next leader after the departure of Jesus. Jesus' response shows us that he might not be too happy with the question of his own disciples. At least Jesus' response was not ordinary and beyond what the disciples could think on the issue. Jesus did not place Peter, John or James to sit on his side, but a little child (Lk 9.46-48). Alas! Jesus identified himself with this most insignificant little child. This picture was blatantly against the disciples' recommendation. In other words, the original proposal of the twelve regarding the election of the next most capable leader was refused.

• Second, the disciple wanted to maintain the group stay exclusive. No outsiders were allowed, even if they acknowledged Jesus' powerful name. Some time later, John saw an exorcist casting away demons in the name of Jesus. John's natural response was to stop him from doing what he did. Confidently, John reported the 'accident' to Jesus: 'Someone, who is not one of us casting away demons in your name, and I stopped him' (Lk 9.49-50). Humanly speaking, there was nothing wrong with John. John was trying to protect the group pure. As I mentioned above, the age of the group was very young, and the charismatic leader of the group will soon depart. John felt that he was responsible to keep the group from any teaching contamination. John correctly remembered the warning in Mat 7.22. Casting away demons in the name of Jesus is no guarantee that the actor is righteous. In addition to that, John understood that the name of Jesus was owned exclusively by the twelve: one has to pay the copyright if one wants to use that powerful name. John's view was very narrow and unfortunately not precise. The beloved disciple was no question expecting Jesus to validate his heroic action. Jesus' perspective however was completely different from John's. Jesus said to his beloved, 'Do not stop him from casting away demons in my name!' (in a more precise expression: Let he continue what he is doing - Don't bother him!). The warning was strong and enough to show that Jesus was not happy with the exclusivity and narrow minded mentality of one of his closest disciples.

• Third, the disciples wanted to protect the group from outsiders who stood against them (the enemies). Few days later, Jesus was ready to start his final journey to Jerusalem. Jesus was approaching his final stage of life before the curse of the cross. The disciples were walking in front of him preparing the way to Jerusalem. As the disciples passed a Samaritan village, they found out that the people of the village did not welcome Jesus. The sons of thunder, James and John were so upset concerning the situation. Both of them were emotionally reporting to Jesus about the refusal of the Samaritans. With the legendary story of Elijah in mind, they asked Jesus if it was necessary to call fire from heaven to destroy the village (Lk 9.51-56). The two brothers were pretty sure, Jesus would endorse the idea. The Samaritans were not part of the Jews. They did not interact and talk with the Jews (Jn 4.9). The split between the Jews and the Samaritans has a long history since the Old Testament period. The Samaritans had their own Laws (different from the Jews' Torah). They worshiped their own god on a different mountain. We can conclude fairly enough that the Samaritans believed in different religion. In Paul's terminology, they were gentiles. Surprisingly, however, Jesus did not send his approval towards the brothers' proposal. Jesus even rebuked (a strong word indeed) them for what they had been thinking. Jesus was absolutely not happy with John and James on this issue.

• The religion of Jesus is radically different from the ordinary. Jesus identified himself with the most insignificant (the child - Lk 9.48). For Jesus, the greatest among you was the one who welcome the least and the most insignificant. The boundaries for the future leader were no longer set upon individual capability and group identity (who were significant and who were not). The boundaries were established upon an embracing the least-attitude. The leader after Jesus was neither necessarily elected from the twelve, nor the most talented and gifted person available. The true leader however should possess an embracing the least-mentality as what Jesus vividly showed to his disciples.

• The religion of Jesus is inclusive. Self or group identity is important, but it is less important when it is compared to the whole mission of Jesus (Lk 9.50). The real question is not the identity of the exorcist; the real question is what this person did and how he did it. This exorcist, like Jesus, casted away demons, and he did it in the precious name of Jesus. What John did to this gentleman was truly embarrassing, since the beloved and his colleagues in fact failed to cast away demons in Lk 9.37-43a. While John was concerned more with securing the identity of the group, Jesus was concerned more on how his earthly mission can be accomplished rightly. Copyright is unknown in the ministry of Jesus and in the service of God. Jesus' precious name is available for all servants of the Lord.

• The religion of Jesus is established on a loving and forgiving attitudes towards others, including the gentiles, while the religion of men is often founded on the ground of self judgmental and self righteous mentalities. In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus indeed said to his audiences to pray for and to love even the enemies (Mat 5.44). The son of thunders were fueled with anger and hatred towards the Samaritans, but Jesus was fired with love and compassion for them. Our helping hands will not serve others unless first our loving heart and compassion reach them.

• What shall we learn from Luke 9.46-55? The greatest among you is the one who is willing to welcome the smallest and the least. The greatest among you is the one who is willing to welcome and acknowledge others' successes and accomplishment, even though if he or she comes from a different pole. The greatest among you is the one who is willing to love and embrace the undeserved ones, including the cruelest enemies exist. These are three foundational tests of mature Christian leadership.