A leader’s desire for greatness is good. It is the formula for greatness that can become a problem. Read Mark 9:33-37.

When Jesus confronted His disciples for arguing over which of them was greatest, they felt embarrassed. Jesus’ example had been that true greatness is measured by how leaders serve others not who achieves the most positional authority. Jesus’ formula for greatness did not center on pleasing other men but pleasing God. He made it clear that service to others is a measure of service we give to God. The Biblical formula to becoming a great leader is measured by how leaders serve others and thus serve God.

A leader’s vision must always be credible—in the good times and when things get difficult. Read Mark 8:31-33.

Throughout His ministry Jesus inspired His team with His vision for both the present and the future. He consistently described the character and conduct that would define the citizens of the Kingdom of God. His vision energized His team to leave everything they had to follow Him. His team applied the skills, talents, and resources acquired over a lifetime to see Jesus’ vision become a reality. They believed that if Jesus’ vision became a reality the world would be a more desirable place. Even when Jesus talked about His death and the very difficult things that lay ahead for Him, He did it as part of His overall vision.

When they understand team dynamics, leaders choose team members carefully. Read Mark 3:13-19.

Jesus’ ministry had amassed hundreds of faithful followers. These were individuals that actually spent time with Jesus and followed Him from town to town to listen to His preaching and to minister to His needs. From this large pool of followers, Jesus selected twelve men to become His apostles, His entrusted messengers and ambassadors. This was such a significant decision that Jesus prayed all night to prepare for it. This was a decision that Jesus made alone with only the guidance of God.

A leader’s lasting value is ultimately measured by the legacy they leave. Read Matthew 28:16-20.

Jesus had completed His earthly mission. He had fulfilled every prophecy of Scripture concerning His birth, life, death, and resurrection and was preparing to return to the Father. As He gave His final instructions to His team He told them to lead as He had, with the future in mind, making sure they trained leaders that would carry on the mission after they were gone. He asked them to take an approach to leadership that would leave a legacy.

God-honoring values serve as a decision-making framework for use of a leader’s power and influence. Read Matthew 27:11-26.

Pontius Pilate served Rome as the Governor of Judea when Jesus was put on trial by the Jewish religious leaders. Roman law did not allow occupied states to carry out executions without approval of the Roman authorities, therefore, the Jewish leaders needed Pilates approval to have Jesus put to death. Pilate acknowledged Jesus’ innocence (Luke 23:4), yet still had Him crucified. Pilate’s values determined how he used his power and influence. Pilate possessed the power to do what was right but was more concerned about his political career and pleasing the Jewish leaders under his jurisdiction than doing what was morally right.

Values are uncompromisable core truths that drive a leader’s behavior. Only when leaders value truth will they speak truth. Only when leaders value honesty will they strive to be honest. Values are the “why” behind leaders’ actions. Leaders must carefully choose their source of values because values place boundaries around behavior and they direct a leader’s decisions. Only when leaders have sought and developed God-honoring values will they use their power in a way that honors God and receives assures the benefit of God’s promises.

Like Pilate in today’s verses, leaders will choose every day how they use their power and influence. Pilate looked to the world for his moral values and became confused by self-interest, social conditions and volatile situations. Pilate had values that centered on self. Pilates’ values directed him to do what was best for his career and for his own convenience. Pilates’ values ultimately have this once powerful man with a legacy throughout history of a weakling. Developing God-honoring values is critical if a leader is to maintain control and direct their influence in productive ways.

Have you established your core truths and resulting values from the Word of God or from the rules generated by society? Do you fully understand that your legacy, and perhaps the legacy of your children (see Exodus 34:7), depends on the source of information that guides your values? The wise leader understands that rejecting the moral high ground will rarely produce a good outcome over the long haul.