There are times when every leader will be asked to give up short-term comfort and security to gain a much greater prize. Read Mark 15:15-24.

It is the day of Jesus’ execution. He was innocent of any crime but was being obedient to the revealed Word of God and was willingly sacrificing His life, shedding His blood as the required sacrifice for the atonement of mankind’s sins against God. According to Matthew 26:53, Jesus could have made a simple request to His Father and God would have provided legions of angels to extricate Him from the religious leaders and Roman soldiers who were about to execute Him. Jesus did not take the short-term easy way out but chose an excruciating death for the long-term good of all mankind. He gave up His life to gain the redemption of the whole world and for that great sacrifice Jesus is the name God has placed above all names and is the person that will eventually be confessed by every tongue and to whom every knee will bow.

Leaders do not have to be superstars or great heroes to make a significant impact. Read Mark 14:51-52; Acts 13:13; Acts 15:38; Colossians 4:10; and 1 Peter 5:13.

We know little about the author of the book of Mark or as he was also known, John Mark. Our first introduction (at least according to many Bible experts) shows him as part of the group at the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was taken captive the night before His crucifixion. Not a real flattering moment for Mark. The next time we meet him he is accompanying Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Again, not all that flattering for Mark because for some unexplained reason Mark leaves his friends and returns to Jerusalem. This act created such tension that Paul refused to allow Mark to accompany him on his second missionary journey explaining “…he had deserted them.” Mark’s beginnings didn’t show much promise that he would be a major contributor to the faith.

Effective leaders assume responsibility for their team’s wellbeing even when their personal life is putting them under enormous pressure. Read Mark 14:32-42.

Jesus is in Jerusalem just prior to His crucifixion. Jesus has eaten His last meal with His disciples and they have gone outside the city walls to spend the night outdoors in a garden known as Gethsemane. Jesus was aware it was His time to become the sacrificial Lamb of God and He was preparing Himself for His coming death at the hands of the religious leaders and the Roman soldiers. Jesus took a few of His closest friends a short distance from the other disciples and asked them to watch and pray with Him. Verse 33 says, “He began to be deeply distressed and troubled.” Luke 22:44 tells us that His perspiration became drops of blood. His personal situation made Him vulnerable to fear and discouragement. He was counting on His friends for support.

The effective leader reminds their team regularly of the mission. Read Mark 13:1-37.

Jesus was in Jerusalem prior to His crucifixion. As He and His disciples were leaving the temple the disciples drew His attention to the beautiful stone work in the temple. This opened the door for Jesus to help His disciples understand more about what would happen in the future to usher in the Kingdom of God. Right in the middle of talking about the birthing pains to establish the Kingdom i.e. wars and rumors of wars and earthquakes, etc., Jesus refocused His disciples on the team’s mission. Verse 10 says, “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.” In His leadership role Jesus often called attention to the vision of God.

Skilled leaders encourage their team by recognizing their contributions. Read Mark 12:41-44.

Jesus was in Jerusalem in what would be the last few days of His earth-bound life. During those days He spent some time in the Temple interacting with the people. On one of those occasions He was watching people put their offering into the treasury box. When Jesus saw a poor woman drop in two coins that would not equal a penny, but were all she had to live on, He called His disciples to Him and pointed out this woman’s sacrificial gift, giving her a great compliment. Jesus understood the importance of celebrating other’s sacrifices.