A reproduction of the Watchtower Society's article
“Leader and Commander.” Jesus demonstrated his qualifications as “a leader and commander” as well as “a witness to the national groups.” (Isa 55:3, 4; Mt 23:10; Joh 14:10, 14; compare 1Ti 6:13, 14.) When the time came for it, several months after beginning his ministry, he went to certain people already known to him and gave them the invitation: “Be my follower.” Men abandoned fishing businesses and tax office employment to respond without hesitation. (Mt 4:18-22; Lu 5:27, 28; compare Ps 110:3.) Women contributed time, effort, and material possessions to supply the needs of Jesus and his followers.—Mr 15:40, 41; Lu 8:1-3.
This small group formed the nucleus of what would become a new “nation,” spiritual Israel. (1Pe 2:7-10) Jesus spent an entire night praying for his Father’s guidance before selecting 12 apostles, who, if faithful, would become pillars in that new nation, like the 12 sons of Jacob in fleshly Israel. (Lu 6:12-16; Eph 2:20; Re 21:14) As Moses had 70 men associated with him as representatives of the nation, Jesus later assigned 70 more disciples to the ministry. (Nu 11:16, 17; Lu 10:1) Thereafter Jesus concentrated special attention on these disciples in his teaching and instruction, even the Sermon on the Mount being delivered principally for them, as its contents reveal.—Mt 5:1, 2, 13-16; 13:10, 11; Mr 4:34; 7:17.
He fully accepted the responsibilities of his headship, took the lead in every respect (Mt 23:10; Mr 10:32), assigned his disciples responsibilities and tasks in addition to their preaching work (Lu 9:52; 19:29-35; Joh 4:1-8; 12:4-6; 13:29; Mr 3:9; 14:12-16), encouraged and reproved (Joh 16:27; Lu 10:17-24; Mt 16:22, 23). He was a commander, and the chief of his commands was that they ‘love one another even as he had loved them.’ (Joh 15:10-14) He was able to control crowds numbering into the thousands. (Mr 6:39-46) The steady, helpful training he gave his disciples, men for the most part of humble position and education, was extremely effective. (Mt 10:1–11:1; Mr 6:7-13; Lu 8:1) Later, men of high station and learning were to wonder at the apostles’ forceful, confident speech; and as “fishers of men,” they enjoyed amazing results—persons by the thousands responded to their preaching. (Mt 4:19; Ac 2:37, 41; 4:4, 13; 6:7) Their grasp of Bible principles, carefully implanted in their hearts by Jesus, enabled them to be real shepherds of the flock in later years. (1Pe 5:1-4) Thus, Jesus, in the short span of three and a half years, laid the sound foundation for a unified international congregation with thousands of members drawn from many races.
Able Provider and Righteous Judge. That his rule would bring prosperity surpassing that of Solomon’s was evident from his ability to direct the fishing operations of his disciples with overwhelming success. (Lu 5:4-9; compare Joh 21:4-11.) The feeding of thousands of persons by this man born in Bethlehem (meaning “House of Bread”), as well as his converting water into fine wine, was a small foretaste of the future banquet that God’s Messianic Kingdom would provide “for all the peoples.” (Isa 25:6; compare Lu 14:15.) His rule not only would end poverty and hunger but would even result in the ‘swallowing up of death.’—Isa 25:7, 8.
There was every reason, as well, to trust in the justice and righteous judgment his government would bring, in harmony with the Messianic prophecies. (Isa 11:3-5; 32:1, 2; 42:1) He showed the utmost respect for law, particularly that of his God and Father, but also for that of “the superior authorities” allowed to operate on earth in the form of secular governments. (Ro 13:1; Mt 5:17-19; 22:17-21; Joh 18:36) He rejected the effort to inject him into the current political scene by ‘making him king’ through popular acclaim. (Joh 6:15; compare Lu 19:11, 12; Ac 1:6-9.) He did not overstep the bounds of his authority. (Lu 12:13, 14) No one could ‘convict him of sin’; this was not merely because he had been born perfect but because he exercised constant care to observe God’s Word. (Joh 8:46, 55) Righteousness and faithfulness girded him like a belt. (Isa 11:5) His love of righteousness was coupled with a hatred of wickedness, hypocrisy, and fraud, as well as indignation toward those who were greedy and callous toward the sufferings of others. (Mt 7:21-27; 23:1-8, 25-28; Mr 3:1-5; 12:38-40; compare Mr 12 vss 41-44.) Meek and lowly ones could take heart, because his rule would wipe out injustice and oppression.—Isa 11:4; Mt 5:5.
He showed keen discernment of principles, of the real meaning and purpose of God’s laws, emphasizing “the weightier matters” thereof, “justice and mercy and faithfulness.” (Mt 12:1-8; 23:23, 24) He was impartial, displaying no favoritism, even though he felt particular affection for one of his disciples. (Mt 18:1-4; Mr 10:35-44; Joh 13:23; compare 1Pe 1:17.) Though one of his last acts while dying on the torture stake was to show concern for his human mother, his fleshly family ties never took priority over his spiritual relationships. (Mt 12:46-50; Lu 11:27, 28; Joh 19:26, 27) As foretold, his handling of problems was never superficial, based on “any mere appearance to his eyes, nor [was his reproof] simply according to the thing heard by his ears.” (Isa 11:3; compare Joh 7:24.) He was able to see into men’s hearts, discern their thinking, reasoning, and motives. (Mt 9:4; Mr 2:6-8; Joh 2:23-25) And he kept his ear tuned to God’s Word and sought, not his own will, but that of his Father; this assured that, as God’s appointed Judge, his decisions would always be right and righteous.—Isa 11:4; Joh 5:30.
Outstanding Prophet. Jesus fulfilled the requirements of a prophet like, but greater than, Moses. (De 18:15, 18, 19; Mt 21:11; Lu 24:19; Ac 3:19-23; compare Joh 7:40.) He foretold his own sufferings and manner of death, the scattering of his disciples, the siege of Jerusalem, and the utter destruction of that city and its temple. (Mt 20:17-19; 24:1–25:46; 26:31-34; Lu 19:41-44; 21:20-24; Joh 13:18-27, 38) In connection with these latter events, he included prophecies to be fulfilled at the time of his presence, when his Kingdom would be in active operation. And, like the earlier prophets, he performed signs and miracles as evidence from God that he was divinely sent. His credentials surpassed those of Moses—he calmed the stormy sea of Galilee; walked on its waters (Mt 8:23-27; 14:23-34); healed the blind, the deaf, and the lame, as well as those with sicknesses as grave as leprosy; and even raised the dead.—Lu 7:18-23; 8:41-56; Joh 11:1-46.
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