Jesus - Philosophy, Ethics and Leadership
Jesus (c4 BC-c30 AD)
Jewish teacher, philosopher and founder of Christianity (pictured right in Dirk Bouts'
painting from c 1470-75).
Chose 12 disciples to help him but eventually crucified just outside
Jerusalem.
One of history’s most influential people, but nobody knows what he looked like.
Why was he a great leader and philosopher?
1. Vision and mission
He wanted a better world for everyone in which people would forget about themselves and love others.
He gave his followers the mission of making everyone in the world his disciples.
2. Brilliant communicator
His Sermon on the Mount was a superb speech:
- relevant to people.
He responded to their needs by listening to them.
His message of love and forgiveness has been extremely powerful and
influential.
To explain complicated ideas he used:
- short stories (or parables).
- metaphors (e.g. it is easier for a rich man to enter heaven than a camel passing
through an eye of a needle)
- exaggeration (e.g. if your eye stops you doing your best, rip it out).
3. Love
He loved people whatever their social position.
He particularly believed in the love of self-sacrifice like helping others when it hurts
you (called altruism) e.g. his crucifixion.
He also preached what is now known as the Golden Rule:
Love your neighbour as yourself (i.e. treat others as you would like to be treated).
4. Revolutionary
He told people to live completely different lives:
a) don’t be selfish
Put God and others first.
b) think God
Listen to what God wants (e.g. by prayer and reading the Bible) and do it.
c) free yourself from money
Don’t let money dominate your life.
d) be good and don’t be hypocritical
“Happy are the pure in heart”, he said.
e) forgive
- forgive and love people who harm you.
- replace revenge with love (“Turn the other cheek”, he said) .
f) don’t worry
(because tomorrow will look after itself).
g) don’t fear death
(because there is life after death).
h) treat everybody the same
(including the poor and unpopular).
Everyone has:
- the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
i) repent
j) don’t be guilty
Confess your wrongdoings (or sins) and God will forgive them.
5. Integrity
People have followed Jesus because he:
- was a good man who lived by his principles.
- put his words into action.
“He went about doing good”, St. Peter said.
6. Reflection
He always thought and prayed about a decision before carrying it out like in the Garden of Gethsemane just
before he was arrested and crucified.
7. Courage with consensus
He had the courage to do what’s right and won people over with his tolerance, compassion and calmness.
“Happy is the peacemaker”, he said.
He was able to touch people’s hearts including the poorest and most hated like tax collectors and
prostitutes.
8. Humility with resolution
He was very determined and single-minded to tell everybody his message, but usually he carried it out very
quietly.
He had great humility and was never arrogant or superior.
Key quotes on
love
Love your neighbour as yourself.
Love your enemies.
Turn the other cheek.
Key quotes on
happiness
Happy are the pure in heart.
It is much more blessed to give than to receive
Key quote on business
ethics
What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?
Key quote on influencing
people
Judge not, that you be not judged.
Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first
to throw a stone.
Key quote on
success
Many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Key quote on war
All that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Key quote on
empowerment
Much is required from the person to whom much is given”.
Key quote on learning and
wisdom
The truth will make you free.
Key quotes on
money
Don’t pile up treasures on earth... but keep your treasures in heaven.
You cannot serve God and money.
Key quote on corporate
culture
Every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.
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