What would Jesus do? is a meme that has its origin as the subtitle of an 1896 book by pastor Charles Sheldon. It grew to prominence as a grassroots movement among Christian youth ministries in the 1990s, and circulates to this day. You may have seen colorful bracelets worn by teenagers with the letters “WWJD?” inscribed on the beads, standing for “What Would Jesus Do?” When faced with a choice, circumstance or crisis, the phrase prompts you to look at the character of Christ as we know Him through Scripture, and determine what we should do based on what we surmise Christ would do in the same situation.
What would Jesus do? is a catchy meme, but tough to put into practice. Jesus didn’t yield to the culture of His time or act in any way like people might have expected Him to. Even today, reading the accounts of His life in Scripture with 20/20 clarity, we are still left with questions as to His actions. Why did He choose to heal this person and not that one? Why feed the 5,000 then leave on a boat? Why only three years of ministry with His disciples? Some things He did set a clear example: love the poor and needy, invest in people, pray, use Scripture to resist temptation. But other things He did are tougher to apply now: Go on a rampage in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13)? Kill a tree (Mark 11)? Refuse to wash His hands (Matthew 15)?
Jesus wouldn’t. The question itself, “What if Jesus ran my company?” we should admit is a poor test of Christ’s character for the modern age. Jesus never came to earth for such a purpose. When we attempt to drop Jesus into our company culture, with its capitalistic purpose and various hierarchies and processes, we are usurping the very Godhood of Christ. The direct answer to this question is simple: Jesus wouldn’t run my company, or any other for that matter.
Jesus is above and beyond any and all companies. Jesus is always thinking big picture—and by big picture we mean the universe, the Kingdom of God, eternity and the end of days. If Jesus ran my company, He would likely blow it up, shut it down, and move all involved to a more righteous, lasting, eternal impact with their lives and livelihoods. “Sure, I understand that, but what if…?” we might insist. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:34: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." Jesus is clear that He would not think in our cultural terms or act to preserve or enhance our norms. Remember Jesus’ interactions with the most respected and prominent leaders of His day—Jewish rabbis and the Roman government. Both eventually conspired to kill Him.
His own purposes. Jesus had a specific mission to accomplish during His time on earth. In John 6:38 He explains, “For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” All His teachings and actions were within the scope of His work on behalf of His Father God. When we try to put Jesus’ supposed actions into another role, we’re ripping Him out of proper context. The danger is that we would ascribe actions to Jesus that He might not take, or apply teachings in a way that He never meant. Jesus, Son of God, simply could never be redirected to the purposes of C-Suite Jesus or Corporate Board Jesus or HR Manager Jesus.
Though Jesus would never run a company, this does occur indirectly, because Christ lives inside the heart of the Christian. A CEO or President or other company leader who is a Christ-follower, then, brings Jesus’ influential leadership into the organization. The better question is how Jesus might influence a company through His disciples in corporate leadership? This leads to a more useful conclusion: That Jesus does run your company if you are a Christ-follower and a leader there.
Influencer and Kingdom advocate. Jesus came to die for the sins of man, and rose from the dead in order to bring man eternal life. During His years of ministry on earth, Jesus also taught on the Kingdom of God, and set a personal and spiritual example in the way He lived and interacted. His disciples knew that following Jesus’ example was important, and this is regularly taught throughout the New Testament. Peter wrote, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Paul wrote, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2). John wrote, “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:6).
Where Jesus’ influence will be most felt in a modern company is in the actions and relationships of its leaders in the context of their being a disciple of Christ. When faced with difficult decisions, discipline, hirings and dismissals, processes and daily work product, the Christ-centered leader shouldn’t ask, “What would Jesus do?” but instead “What would Jesus have me do?” Consider how you as a leader might emulate Jesus and be obedient to His commands in Scripture though your workday:
In your relationships. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24; “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12
In your decisions. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
In your goals. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
In your pursuits. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
In your challenges. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12
In your mission and vision. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
In your judgment. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5
Dealing with enemies. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.” Matthew 10:16-17
With your word. “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37
In dealing with sin. “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” Matthew 5:29-30
In your planning. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
In your stresses and strains. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
In your disagreements. “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17
In your example. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28
Cover photo: Shutterstock
Jesus never came to earth for such a purpose. When we attempt to drop Jesus into our company culture, with its capitalistic purpose and various hierarchies and processes, we are usurping the very Godhood of Christ.