After a Great Day of Teaching – A Lesson for Every Pastor and Leader

After a great day of teaching, Jesus faced the critics. There’s a lesson here for every leader worth remembering.

Consider this story:

And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. (Matthew 13:53-58 ESV)

It’s interesting to me when this story occurred in the life of Jesus. Plus, if you read just prior to this passage, the disciples had finally understood something Jesus taught them. It seems that didn’t happen much in their journey with Jesus.

On this occasion, Jesus had just taught them a huge principle. They got it. As a leader, that is a great day – the best of days. The men He was building into, who would launch the church we know today, understood what was being taught. Yea, team!

That’s a great day for any teacher.

Yet, suddenly the critics came out of the closet.

(They weren’t really “in the closet”. They never are. In fact, they are always lurking nearby. Critics are usually the ones waiting in the wings to say, “That won’t work” or “I told you it wouldn’t”. They just appear to sit on the sidelines when things are working, because that fuels nothing they have to say.)

It never seems to fail. I’ve seen it in ministry and marketplace leadership. The best days of life are often followed by some of the darkest days. Monday always follows the weekend. Pastor, deliver your best message and you’ll shortly afterwards find some of your harshest critics. “You should have said it this way.” Salesperson, deliver the best quarterly sales report and there will be someone who says the business can’t compete in today’s market.

Hit an out-of-the-park home run and you’ll find some people ready to stop the ballgame.

Don’t be surprised on those days. And don’t be dismayed. Don’t get distracted from what you are called to do.

Those days can even have value, if you allow them to:

• They keep us humble.
• Keep us learning.
• Place us on our knees.
• Keep the glory shining in the rightful place.
• They keep us appreciative of the good days.

Are you facing the critics – even during the best of days?

Of course you are – you’re trying to be like Jesus, right?

Check out my leadership podcast where we discuss leadership nuggets in a practical way. Plus, check out the other Lifeway Leadership Podcasts.