Where does Jesus sit?
by Jeff Faull
Where does Jesus sit?
He sat down at age 12 as he taught the teachers of the law. He sat as he delivered the Sermon on the Mount. He sat in a boat and used it as a pulpit to speak to the people on dry land. He sat down in the synagogue to preach. He was seated to teach when they brought a woman caught in adultery. (Is there a pattern developing here?)
Think about all the “sit down” moments with Jesus. He was sitting by Jacob’s well at Sychar, weary from His journey when He met the Samaritan woman. He sat on a donkey for the triumphal entry. He was sitting on the Mount of Olives. Numerous passages describe Him sitting at the right hand of God. Sometimes He is pictured seated in the clouds. We are seated with Him in heavenly places. The book of Revelation pictures Him seated on a great white horse, and on a great throne.
They are great images but picture this one.
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. …
Mark 12:41 (emphasis added)
“He sat down opposite the treasury.”
Do you suppose Jesus still does that? It is my conviction that He does, and that He is especially interested in the generosity of leaders. Jesus noticed, commended and defended acts of generosity.
It is enlightening to consider the qualifications and profiles of leaders in Scripture with an eye towards generosity - not lovers of money, hospitable, not greedy, not pursuing dishonest gain. Many of the qualities of reputation, mindset, and management are at least indirectly related to generosity. In fact, we would be hard pressed to find a significant leader in Scripture who did not demonstrate generosity.
Think Barnabas and his gifts or Paul being poured out as a drink offering. Think of Mary and her perfume, Lydia and her hospitality, or the women who supported Jesus’ ministry.
On the other hand, the absence of a generous spirit almost always seems to characterize the descriptions of bad leadership. Demas, Ananias and Sapphira, and others come to mind. The “godliness for gain” motivations are often mentioned in regard to false, untrustworthy leaders.
It is no exaggeration to say that authentic generosity is an indispensable quality for spiritual leadership. Some of the leadership teams and boards that I have been associated with have made decisions concerning the suitability of potential leaders based on the presence or absence of generosity in their lives. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). If a leader’s treasure truly demonstrates the commitment of his heart, then generosity becomes a telling factor in leadership assessment. This is also the reason that many church capital campaigns begin with “lead gifts” from the leaders.
The bottom line is that if we desire to live, love and lead like Jesus, we must cultivate generosity in our own lives and in the lives of our developing leaders.
It is fascinating to meditate on the gifts of grace in Romans 12 with this mindset.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:6–8
Each of these gifts requires some measure or sense of generosity to administer. We cannot even exercise our own primary spiritual gifts without giving up something to do so. Peter says we are stewards of the grace of God. Paul’s list of gifts includes financial giving, so it should be boldly cultivated in ourselves and others who we are leading. We seem to have no problem helping people develop gifts of teaching, serving, leadership, mercy, prophesying, or encouraging, but we are hesitant to help people who are already gifted with giving to further develop that gift. Yet this is one of our tasks as leaders.
So again, where does Jesus sit?
Sometimes it’s across from the treasury, but always, it is at the place of sacrifice and generosity.
