A Serving Leadership Insight from the Life of Jesus Christ (Mark 11:22-26)

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (See Mark 11:22-26 for full text)

In Mark 11:22–26 Jesus concluded his discourse on faith with an important qualifier. “When you stand praying,” he asserted, “if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Jesus stipulated forgiveness as the ultimate criterion for influence with our Audience of One. Don’t expect your heavenly Father to answer prayer if you hold unforgiveness in your heart toward others. Your relationships on earth affects your relationship with your Father in heaven. Serving leaders are transparent. If they mess up, they “fess” up. Contrary to what some might think, confession by leaders does not destroy their credibility. It enhances it. Their humility draws others in and increases their influence. Holding something against others reveals pride and the inability to give others the benefit of the doubt. Even when others are in the wrong, we must forgive, just as we have been forgiven.

KEY QUESTIONS: Who currently needs my forgiveness? Is there anyone I hold even the smallest amount of bitterness toward due to an offense committed against me? What could I do to reconcile that relationship? In what areas of my life could I be more transparent?