We are a people who love to make lists. U.S. News & World Report devoted its October 31 issue to one very important list. It’s the list the magazine has identified as America’s 25 best leaders.

The cover story describes the very rigorous and interesting process by which they came up with that list. The editors of the magazine convened a group of thirty-five distinguished Americans from across the political spectrum, representing the worlds of business, government and academia. That group met to do their work at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. To try to reduce effects of partisan politics on the whole process, they agreed up front that they would exclude from consideration the president, all former presidents, and any likely future presidential candidates. They stated with over 300 nominees, and then began paring down.

Eventually they wound up with a list of the twenty-five they consider to be the prime examples of the finest in leadership that our nation currently has to offer.

John Moser shared that magazine with me because of one preacher who wound up in that very select company. You might not be surprised to learn that it was Rick Warren, the man behind the 40 Days of Purpose campaign. In this regard Warren is walking in some pretty tall grass, with the likes of Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, and even ‘Saint’ Oprah Winfrey herself!

David Gergen, a man who’s served as advisor in more than one presidential administration and editor at large of U.S. News, was co-chair of the panel. Gergen wrote a piece for that issue in which he asked the question: Does leadership really matter? He notes that some would say that the people we think of as great leaders of history are just those who happen to be in the right place at the right time.

Gergen seems to think otherwise. Mentioning three great leaders of the 20^th century, he concludes that our world might be a very different place had there not been a Franklin Roosevelt and a Winston Churchill to stand against Adolph Hitler.

Certainly in the church we need not ask whether or not leadership really matters. We are a body supremely committed to one great Leader. Today happens to be a day on which we think in a particular way about Him, in this whole context of the question of leadership.

Next Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent, begins the new year in the church liturgical year. But today, the last Sunday of the church’s year, is called Christ the King Sunday.

Traditionally the church has identified Jesus Christ by three titles. We know Him as Prophet – the One who speaks to us as no other the Word of God. He is Priest: the only One who can build a bridge between God and our fallen human race. And He is King – the One seated at the right hand of God Almighty to reign forever with Him as Lord of lords.

I want to think with you briefly today about Jesus Christ as a leader. The conclusion that we have to reach, based not only on today’s New Testament lesson, but really on all of Scripture, is quite clear:

Think with me for a few moments about what makes Jesus such a great leader.

In the first place, great leaders are worthy of our admiration.

Those who are leaders in any field are ones we think are worthy of our admiration. The Bible says that Jesus is more worthy of that admiration than any other man who has ever lived! Paul is saying that much and more when he tells us that the Father has given to the Son "the name that is above every name that is named…"

Read something about the ones who made the U.S. News list of the twenty-five best leaders, and you see a pattern of exceptional ability and an inspiring work ethic. Those are some of the very attributes that make them worthy of our admiration. Think of some of the people with whom you’ve had personal contact over the years that you would describe as great leaders. Though they would probable differ widely in many ways, there’s sure to be this one constant: each would be a person you admire. In fact, even though someone might exercise a high degree of authority, if you don’t admire him or her, you probably would not consider them a great leader.

Jesus Christ is such a great leader in part because He is someone we admire greatly! Even His critics would admit that, if they’re at all honest. People we admire tend to be wise, attractive, powerful, good, giving. No one in the history of the human race has embodied those attributes more than Jesus Christ.

Any real leader earns our admiration. Jesus Christ is a great Leader because He is supremely worthy of that admiration.

Secondly, great leaders are worthy of our allegiance.

In one of his Dilbert comic strips, Scott Adams has the evil boss addressing one of his downtrodden employees. The boss says, "I’ve decided to start using humor in the workplace. Experts say humor helps relieve tension, which is especially important in times such as these, when the workforce is being trimmed. So here goes: Knock-knock."

Employee: "Who’s there?"

Now Dilbert’s boss is a caricature of all the worst qualities in a leader – one who is completely unworthy of any real allegiance.

Against that dismal record, the leaders featured in the U.S. News list each demonstrate an intangible ability to inspire the allegiance of those who work for them.

And Jesus is more worthy of our allegiance than any leader in history!

What exactly is allegiance? I’d define it as loyal obedience. Probably you’ve had the experience sometime of laboring under some unworthy boss. Because that one has some institutional power and authority over you, you obey his or her wishes – but without any real feeling of loyalty.

Jesus doesn’t deserve; He doesn’t want that sort of grudging obedience. He wants not only your voice and hands; He wants your heart. He deserves your allegiance – your loyal obedience. The question is, does He get it?

Jesus Christ is not just a great person; He is not only worthy of your admiration. Jesus also demands and deserves your allegiance – your loyal obedience. Think of the words you speak, of the way spend your days and your dollars. Does that clear evidence show that you give your allegiance to Jesus Christ?

Jesus is worthy of our admiration. He deserves our allegiance. But there is one more thing.

As the greatest Leader of all, Jesus Christ is supremely worthy of our love.

Jesus was a "King who never reigned" only if you think of a kingdom as merely a matter of armies (all the soldiers of which eventually grow old and die) and wealth (all of which eventually gets spent or taken by others) and political power (all of which eventually fades away). Eisler’s notion certainly is a view of Christ some have shared across the ages. But here’s another – from a man who knew a thing or two about leadership.

And why is all of that true? Why is He a Leader worthy of our love? Because He gave His life! That sacrifice is what we remember as we come together to His table. We refer to what we’re about to do in many ways. We call it Communion; the Lord’s Supper; a sacrament. And they’re all perfectly correct. But let me encourage you to think of it today by another name: Eucharist. That term comes from two Greek words meaning literally "Good grace." It’s a Greek expression meaning ‘thanks.’

So today as you come to the table – and especially in the next few days as you think in a special way of gratitude – give thanks for all of God’s rich blessings in your life. But thank God especially for His gift of a Leader supremely worthy of your admiration, your allegiance and your love. Give thanks to God for Christ your King.